I hope you were able to watch the movie version of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader over the Christmas holidays. Among the many adventures of the Dawn Treader, there is one that powerfully sums up C.S. Lewis’ understanding of how one becomes a follower of Jesus and how the gospel transforms us. While on … Continue reading The God Who Undragons People
How to pray for those who lead your church
The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1 sets forth a number of directives for pastors... Pastors are called 1. To work with God's people so that they find their joy in the Lord not in circumstances or any other thing. 2. To pray, counsel, disciple, and preach so that God's people "stand firm in their … Continue reading How to pray for those who lead your church
Trusting the Good Hands of a Providential Father
The Psalmist states, "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord" (Psalm 112:7). It is easy to submit to God's will when everything is going well... when you are walking on sunshine and feeling good. But when you find yourself walking in the shadows, it is then … Continue reading Trusting the Good Hands of a Providential Father
Praying to a Prodigal Father
In a recent time of studying and meditating on the Lord's Prayer, I came across this wonderful piece from John Calvin on what we ought to reflect upon when we pray "our Father." "The exuberance of his paternal kindness he sets before us in the parable, (Luke 15:20) when the father with open arms receives … Continue reading Praying to a Prodigal Father
Gleanings from Life Together – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer poured out his own life at the hands of the Nazis because he refused to allow the church to be a tool of oppression. His Christian classic, Life Together, outlines the essential principles of Christian fellowship, gleaned in the backdrop of the German underground. Here are a few insights and quotes from the … Continue reading Gleanings from Life Together – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
What if God eliminated suffering? – A Reflection for Good Friday
One question that skeptics and believers both ask frequently is: "if God is so loving, why does He allow suffering and evil?" The Psalms of Ascent (Psalm 120-134) are written to facilitate the worship of God's pilgrim people on their journey up to Jerusalem. One notable feature of the journey of faith is oppression and … Continue reading What if God eliminated suffering? – A Reflection for Good Friday
Prayer – Launching an Uprising Against the Disorder of our World
Karl Barth: “To fold one’s hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” To begin an uprising…to turn the world upside down. 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 … Continue reading Prayer – Launching an Uprising Against the Disorder of our World
Jesus Steps In When Hell Endeavors to Shake Us
I loved playing and watching basketball during high school. Now, refereeing basketball is a different story. When I was in ninth-grade, I went one Saturday morning to the gym to watch some friends playing in a church league. This day, the referee forgot to show up. Thus, I was asked to referee the game. But … Continue reading Jesus Steps In When Hell Endeavors to Shake Us
Lifelines for Spiritual Depression
Lifelines for those journeying through spiritual depression from Psalm 120: Martin Lloyd Jones in his book entitled Spiritual Depression sets forth a radical notion that has proven most helpful to me personally. He writes that "most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking … Continue reading Lifelines for Spiritual Depression
Reflections for Worship – Romans 16:1-16
One biblical scholar writes that Romans 16 "is one of the most instructive chapters of the New Testament because it encourages personal relationships of love in the church." — Emil Brunner The warmth of Christian friendship evident in these verses (with so many indications of warm affection) reminds us that in a world of fractured … Continue reading Reflections for Worship – Romans 16:1-16
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