The scripture is clear on our need for faithful friends who will tell us our faults with a desire to help us. One who has such friends is blessed and the one who does not is in danger. I was quite intrigued to see this point affirmed as my sons and I read The Lives of …
“Countless evils have arisen from ignorance of the Scriptures. From this the plague of heresies has broken out. From this there are neglectful lives. From this there are labors without benefit. For just as men deprived of daylight of this world do not walk rightly, so those who do not look to the gleaming of …
Continue reading ‘Chrysostom on the Necessity of Scripture Reading’ »
The psalm my family sang together last week was Psalm 131, using this metrical version to the tune usually associated with “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” It works very well, is quite singable and is faithful to the text. We have really enjoyed it. O Lord, My Heart’s Not Lifted Up (Psalm 131) O …
My poem of the week this week is Blake’s “The Lamb,” a really nice poem for children telling them about Jesus the Lamb of God. Sometimes I love Blake’s poems, sometimes I don’t like them at all. This one is great. “The Lamb” Little Lamb who made thee Dost thou know who made thee Gave …
I’ve been pondering just briefly some of the parallels between Noah and Adam. Some of the connections are due to the fact that the flood is a destruction and then re-creation. In Gen 1:2 the earth was formless and void, covered with water. In the flood the earth returns to this condition. As the flood …
I have for some time enjoyed the poetry of George Herbert. While reading Tim Keller’s recent book on prayer I came across Herbert’s poem, “Prayer (I),” which Keller deals with in some detail. The poem describes prayer with a series of compelling images which are worth pondering. Prayer the church’s banquet, angel’s age, God’s …
Men are trained and prepared for secular contests, and they account it a great mark of honour, if they happen to be crowned in the sight of the people and the presence of the emperor. Behold a sublime and mighty contest, glorious with the prize of a heavenly crown, in which God beholds us contending …
As we move into a new year, resolve to go deep with God, to press in and know God, not just to know of or hear about God or even to talk about others’ experience of God. Rather engage Him yourself by hearing Him in His word, talking to Him in prayer and meeting Him …