During the last days of Edmund Payson, he said:"When I formerly read Bunyan's description of the land of Beulah, where the sun shines and the birds sing day and night, I used to doubt whether there was such a place; but now my own experience has convinced me of it, and it transcends all my … Continue reading O For Grace to Come to the End of Your Earthly Journey like This
Virgins Don’t Have Babies – C.S. Lewis
One day C.S. Lewis was sitting in his office in the English department when a friend, who was an unbeliever, wandered in. There were carolers below in the courtyard singing Christmas carols and as the two were speaking, they could hear them singing a Christmas carol that contained words about Jesus’ virgin birth. His unbelieving … Continue reading Virgins Don’t Have Babies – C.S. Lewis
Battling Weariness with the Power of Jesus
Are you already struggling with weariness and fatigue this Christmas Season? Here are four Scriptures that have been a rich source of encouragement to me. I have placed below all four texts in three different versions. The first translation (either NIV or ESV) is an actual translation of the Bible. If you were going to … Continue reading Battling Weariness with the Power of Jesus
The Cradle, The Cross and The Crown
Cradle The cradle of Christmas proves that God is with us - Emmanuel. We are not alone in this world. We are not alone in our guilt, shame and struggle. We are not alone when we walk through the valley of the shadowlands. Cross The cross of Calvary proves that God is for us and … Continue reading The Cradle, The Cross and The Crown
Reawakening Wonder This Christmas – Luke 2:17-20
Luke 2:17-20 - "And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, … Continue reading Reawakening Wonder This Christmas – Luke 2:17-20
A New-Born King: The Irony – Matthew 2:1-12
Have you ever lived in a city where it was difficult to become an insider? No matter how hard you tried, you always felt excluded and on the fringe. Our experience in church can oftentimes be the same. Have you ever attended a church where you felt like you didn’t measure up and no matter … Continue reading A New-Born King: The Irony – Matthew 2:1-12
The New Born King – The Agony – Matthew 2:1-12
The Agony – How do insiders respond to this news? The birth of this King troubles and agitates insiders… the power brokers of the establishment (both political and ecclesiastical). Rather than rejoicing at this news, they are troubled by it. Now, if we are honest, most of us find repulsive the idea of someone ruling … Continue reading The New Born King – The Agony – Matthew 2:1-12
The New Born King – The Ecstacy – Matthew 2:1-12
The Ecstasy – How do outsiders respond to finding the King? When they find the newborn King, what do they do? When I mention the word ecstasy, I am talking about a state of overwhelming, overpowering emotion. In this case… rapturous delight. See Matthew 2, verse 10. The most arresting verse of the entire passage. … Continue reading The New Born King – The Ecstacy – Matthew 2:1-12
Three Main Avenues of Spiritual Attack
Dr. J.I. Packer is one of my favorite theologians and writers. On many occasions he has brought clarity and insight to the Word of God for me. One article that has been particularly enriching is called "Self-Care for Pastors: Riches from the Anglican Devotional Tradition." In this article, he emphasizes that there are three main … Continue reading Three Main Avenues of Spiritual Attack
Generous Justice for the Oppressed
This Sunday we will conclude our sermon series on The Mission of Trinity Church from the prophecy of Isaiah. Our sermon tomorrow comes from Isaiah 58. The theme is: Generous Justice for the Oppressed. Here's a link to our personal worship guide to use this coming week as we delve more deeply into the implications … Continue reading Generous Justice for the Oppressed
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