Thomas Brooks, a Puritan pastor, counsels believers to confront all temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the boastful pride of life) with the words of the Psalmist: “The LORD is my portion” (16:5; 73:26; 119:57; 142:5). He exhorts: Luther counsels every Christian to answer all temptations with the short … Continue reading How to face temptation – Sage Counsel from Thomas Brooks
Have You Looked at the Cross Lately?
Learn from Christian's experience in Pilgrim's Progress (1688 AD): So I saw in my dream that just as Christian came up to the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders and fell from off his back and began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulcher, … Continue reading Have You Looked at the Cross Lately?
The Physical Presence of Other Christians
How easy it is in our country where we tend to take our freedom for granted to view the physical presence of other Christians as an assumed privilege. In other cases, we can grow bitterly disappointed with other Christians and shun contact with them like the plague. Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenges us to view the physical … Continue reading The Physical Presence of Other Christians
A Worship Guide for Good Friday
Grieving on Good Friday REFLECTIONS O all ye who pass by, behold and see; man stole the fruit, but I must climb the tree; The tree of life to all, but only me: Was ever grief like mine? — From the poem “The Sacrifice” by George Herbert Is it nothing to you, all you who … Continue reading A Worship Guide for Good Friday
Sad Hearts Sing – The Walk to Emmaus
Prayer: O God, open the eyes of our hearts to see You for who you are today – the risen Savior who conquers all of our enemies. Renovate our unbelieving hearts so that they burn with devotion and love for our risen Savior and Lord. I don't know about you, but I still get chills … Continue reading Sad Hearts Sing – The Walk to Emmaus
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
The Confessions of a Pastor
Holy Father, all of us serve at Your bidding as undershepherds of the Great Shepherd of the sheep – our Lord Jesus Christ. First of all, we ask Your forgiveness for the times that we have taken for granted the awesome privilege we have to serve as a divinely-appointed shepherd to watch over Your sheep. … Continue reading The Confessions of a Pastor
Thielicke, Barth, and Cyprian – On the Lord’s Prayer
In the closing months of WWII, Helmut Thielicke preached on the Lord’s Prayer. He spoke words that ring true for us today: “In these fearful, fateful weeks many people appear to have become alienated from their faith in God: They begin to ask how He can ‘permit’ such things to happen. It would be better, … Continue reading Thielicke, Barth, and Cyprian – On the Lord’s Prayer
Worshipping with Handicapped Hearts
Lord,free us from our handicapped hearts. May we worship You in such a way that our consciences are quickened by Your holiness. Our minds feed upon Your truth. Our imaginations are purged by Your beauty. Our hearts are opened to receive Your love. Our wills are devoted resolutely to Your purpose. Gather all of this … Continue reading Worshipping with Handicapped Hearts
Three Priorities During A Season of Change
What are we to focus on during times of organizational change? Here are three priorities for leaders during a season of significant change in your church's life: a. Hospitality: Express biblical love for strangers. This is the literal definition of hospitality in the original New Testament. We are called to welcome and listen to those who … Continue reading Three Priorities During A Season of Change
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