asking, searching, knocking
So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
-Jesus, the Gospel of St. Mark 11.9-11 (HCSB)
The hard part . . .
Luther on prayer
None can believe how powerful prayer is, and what it is able to effect, but those who have learned it by experience. It is a great matter when in extreme need, to take hold on prayer. I know, whenever I have earnestly prayed, I have been amply heard, and have obtained more than I prayed for; God, indeed, sometimes delayed, but at last he . . .
on God's gifts
We are not simply the final destinations in the flow of God's gifts. Rather, we find ourselves midstream, so to speak. The gifts flow into us, and they on from us. From Christ, gifts flow to us, each one of us; from us, they flow to those in need.
- Miroslav Volf, Free of Charge
pursued by goodness
getting Psalm 23 right
This morning in church we read Psalm 23.
There is absolutely nothing even remotely odd about that. After all, this is one of the most beloved and comforting psalms in the entire Psalter. This morning our focus was on the first part of verse six, which is traditionally rendered:
Surely goodness and mercy shall . . .
the Lord...a strong refuge
The LORD is good,a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of the night.
-Nahum 1.7-8, NLT
photo credit: K. Kapoutsis | CC
the focus of worship?
Ask most any Christian about the focus of worship and you are likely to receive an immediate 'Sunday-school' answer: "The focus of worship is God!" With those words still hanging in an imaginary comic book text bubble in the air, a follow-on question about the worship style may generate hesitation and may even spark a . . .
hiding behind Christ
Despite the pressures and external pressures to be more authentic or relevant, the Word that the pastor is given to speak is the objective certainty of a crucified and risen Savior of sinners. It does not mimic the trends of the culture or emotion or entertainment. Most importantly, the Word proclaimed by the pastor does not depend on . . .
