“Blessed are those who mourn” is, paradoxically, a more necessary message than “Rejoice in the Lord always,” because there can be no true rejoicing until we have stopped running away from mourning. - Simon Tugwell, The Beatitudes The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of Him who bears all suffering … Continue reading Reflections on “Those Who Mourn”
Worship Reflections
What Marriage Is
Marriage is not a federation of two sovereign states. It is a union – domestic, social, spiritual, physical. It is a fusion of two hearts – the union of two lives – The coming together of two tributaries, which, after being joined in marriage, will flow in the same channel, in the same direction… carrying … Continue reading What Marriage Is
God’s Cure for Shame – A Worship Reflection
W.H. Griffith-Thomas wrote a wonderful devotional commentary on Genesis. He sets forth God's Cure for Shame in the below: “Redemption is not only promised in Genesis 3, it is also pictured. Man attempted to cover his shame by the leaves of the fig tree, but this was far too slight a covering for so deep … Continue reading God’s Cure for Shame – A Worship Reflection
Confession of Sin – Palm Sunday
Forgiving Father, Your Son came as the gentle King of Glory. He rode a donkey not a stallion. He humbled and sacrificed himself in order to bring us peace with You. We confess our own lack of humility. Forgive us for the lack of gentleness in our lives. Our harsh words have stirred up strife … Continue reading Confession of Sin – Palm Sunday
Thoughts on Preparing for Communion
Come not because you are strong, but because you are weak. Come not because any goodness of your own gives you a right to come, but because you need mercy and help. Come, because you love the Lord and want to experience more of His love. Come, because He first loved you and gave … Continue reading Thoughts on Preparing for Communion
Reflections on What Jesus Desires for His Church
The prayer in John 17 is Jesus’ longest prayer recorded in Scripture. In it, Jesus reveals his priorities for His people and what he was most passionate about for us prior to His death for our sins. Christ does not pray that his disciples might be rich and great in the world, but that … Continue reading Reflections on What Jesus Desires for His Church
Reflections on Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You from John 17:24
Can anything equal the breath-taking tenderness of Jesus’ final request - “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24). - Adapted from William … Continue reading Reflections on Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You from John 17:24
Worship Reflections based upon The Rich Man and Lazarus
Of all the winds that blow on love, The demand for money is the coldest and most destructive. - Gustave Flaubert A reversal at the outset of the story is that the beggar is given a name and the rich man is not. That single fact ought to alert us that the story we are … Continue reading Worship Reflections based upon The Rich Man and Lazarus
The Rescue Story
The Rescue Story - Isaiah 60
Why do we corporately confess our sins in public worship?
Here's a excellent and brief explanation by Carl Trueman in his article entitled, "A Word to the Conscience." It can access the article in its entirety here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/themelios At some point prior to the sermon each Sunday in my church, the minister or elder leading the service will read a passage of Scripture designed to … Continue reading Why do we corporately confess our sins in public worship?
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