My poem of the week this week is “The Battle of Life,” by Elizabeth Prentiss. It is a good reminder to me of the call to press on beyond my comforts in obedience to the work the Lord calls me to. It is so easy to shift to pursuing my comfort rather than seeking first …
My poem of the week this week comes from Elizabeth Prentiss, whose poems abut faith in the midst of suffering have for years been a challenge and comfort to me. “So Be It” So be it; ’tis Thy plan not mine, And being Thine is good; And God, my will shall yield to Thine Ere …
Yesterday was the 290th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Davies (1723-1761), a powerful preacher during the Great Awakening in colonial America. Davies was a skilled orator whose rhetorical style influenced a young Patrick Henry. He eventually succeeded Jonathan Edwards as president of the College of New Jersey (later renamed Princeton). On one fundraising trip …
Here is another hymn related to the Reformation. A key aspect of the Reformation story concerns the people who died for the faith, seeking to being the Scriptures and the gospel to their people. This hymn written by martin Luther captures this reality. The story is that Luther wrote these words after getting word that …
This week’s poem comes from Paul Speratus, who helped Martin Luther assemble the first Lutheran hymnal. It is long, but it nicely lays out the futility of works, the place of the Law, justification by faith alone and how works result from faith. SALVATION UNTO US HAS COME Salvation unto us has come By God’s …
My poem of the week this week comes from William Cowper, one who was well acquainted with feelings of dismay. Yet, in this hymn he draws comfort from the Scriptural testimony of God’s care and aid to his people. May these words encourage you as they do me. THE SAINTS SHOULD NEVER BE DISMAYED …
My poem of the week this week is “Last Lines,” by Anne Brontë. John Starke cited a portion of this poem last week on Twitter which sent me looking for the full poem. The message of the poem fits very well with 2 Cor 1 which we discussed in class this morning. This is a …
My poem of the week this week is a strong call to perseverance from Robert Service. Service is not a guide to theology but is at his best calling for us to live life to the fullest and not give up. “Carry On!” It’s easy to fight when everything’s right, And you’re mad with thrill …
My poem of the week for my office door this week came from Adoniram Judson. It is a powerful statement of mission zeal- realistic, cost counted, hopeful because of the future promises. I had assumed it was a piece from a larger poem but was unable to find any more of the poem. Perhaps this …
My poem of the week last week was this great gospel declaration by Joseph Hart: “O Ye Sons of Men Be Wise” O ye sons of men be wise, trust no longer dreams and lies, Out of Christ, almighty pow’r can do nothing but devour. God you say is good. ‘Tis true. But he’s pure …