Jesus is the Great Samaritan to whom the Good Samaritan points... Before you can give this neighbor-love, you need to receive it. Only if you see that you have been saved graciously by someone who owes you the opposite will you go out into the world looking to help absolutely anyone in need. — Timothy … Continue reading Receiving & Giving Neighbor Love
Fighting for Survival
A man with his back against the wall, fighting for survival, needs more than moral exhortation and pious entreaty. He must encounter the living Lord Jesus Christ. This was true for the aged Apostle John exiled as an old man on the island of Patmos in the late 90s. This is also true for all … Continue reading Fighting for Survival
Grace – The Fuel for Worship
The people of God gather on the Lord’s Day to worship Him. We do this in the power of the Holy Spirit, out of gratitude to our Almighty God as He is revealed himself in the person and work of Jesus Christ. We humble ourselves before Him by declaring His worth, confessing His lordship,and rendering … Continue reading Grace – The Fuel for Worship
When the Spirit of God Descends Upon Your Heart
The lovely words of the Irish hymn-writer, George Croly serve as a simple reminder of why we desperately need the Holy Spirit poured out upon us: Spirit of God, descend upon my heart, wean it from earth, through all its pulses move; Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, and make me love Thee … Continue reading When the Spirit of God Descends Upon Your Heart
A Prayer for My Son on His 12th and 21st Birthdays
The below is a part of a letter I wrote my son on his 12th birthday. His 21st birthday is coming soon. My prayers for him have not changed... Son, you are beginning your journey towards manhood. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says: “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” … Continue reading A Prayer for My Son on His 12th and 21st Birthdays
May the Lord Unveil His Beauty to You
Holy Father, give me increasing views of the infinite dignity of Jesus' person, work, merit, offices, relations, characters, and in short, everything that relates to one so dear, so lovely, so glorious, and so suited to a poor sinner like me, as the Lord Jesus Christ is in all things. AMEN. - Robert Hawker, The … Continue reading May the Lord Unveil His Beauty to You
Why Worship God with Others?
How easy it is to succumb to the privatized faith syndrome summarized in this statement: "Jesus and I have a good thing going and I don't need the church to mess it up." Certainly the church is always working to match its conduct with its creed. However, we can never give up on gathering together with … Continue reading Why Worship God with Others?
Using Your God Tools in a Dog Eat Dog World – A Lovely Paraphrase
“The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way- never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped … Continue reading Using Your God Tools in a Dog Eat Dog World – A Lovely Paraphrase
With Jesus in the Boat
The early church viewed Jesus’ miracle of calming the troubled sea (Mark 4:35-41) as a sign of His saving presence amidst persecution that threatened to overwhelm the church. In early Christian art, the Church was portrayed as a boat being driven about on a perilous sea and, with Jesus in the midst, there was nothing … Continue reading With Jesus in the Boat
Two Alternate Paths to Take in Life
Henry David Thoreau, in his classic Walden, sets forth two alternate paths that lie before each of us: One is broad, common and natural. The other is narrow, uncommon and supernatural: " The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them. What is … Continue reading Two Alternate Paths to Take in Life
2Cherish2Commend 