Prayer is worship because it tells the truth about who God is and about what He has done. When we pray, we honor God by relying on Him. We confess that He alone can deliver, forgive, sustain, and save. This is why prayer is never a transaction. We are not just asking for things. We... Continue Reading

When I was a boy we used to be sent outside by sadistic teachers to complete cross-country runs of about three miles, invariably in the coldest, windiest winter weather. Unhappy memories—but oh, the joy of finishing! A greater joy by far awaits the Christian athlete. We are called to endure, to persist all the way... Continue Reading

We are born with our ears tuned to hear our own voices. We like hearing ourselves. What’s worse is that everyone around us is doing the same thing! So we cheer each other on. That’s right! You should be heard! Don’t let anyone tell you differently! That’s your truth! Say it! That means we have... Continue Reading

God is present, in control, and faithful, even when we cannot understand his ways. As Christians, we know this reality, but too often we can be tempted to focus our eyes on things ‘under the sun’. In Japanese the character for eye is 目 and the character for look is 見 – an eye with... Continue Reading

Churches, while seemingly insignificant in the minds of many in our increasingly secular world, matter. It reminds me of a story that was often told by the late Peter Marshall. The “Keeper of the Springs”.   On a recent episode of WBUR’s On Point, host Meghna Chakrabarti devoted an episode to what is lost when... Continue Reading

Measuring or tracking where we are being insufficient, to bring about positive change in our lives.   A man said he had a budget and needed help with it. But when his records were examined, they were only a record of expenditures; there was no budget. A woman said she wanted to lose weight. Every... Continue Reading

There is only one chosen race, one holy nation, and one people for God’s own possession that will always exist (1 Peter 2:9). They are not the white “race” or black “race” or any other made-up race. They are the people who share the blood of Christ.   A couple of days ago, Joel Webbon... Continue Reading

The most blessed of Christ’s elect churchmen have the sacramental signs and seals of God’s covenant of grace upon them; and they know, in their heart of hearts, that their Heavenly Father dearly and perfectly loves them (in His Son our Lord Jesus Christ).   The entire inscripturated Word of God is designed to bring... Continue Reading

Some anticipate getting new and better voices in heaven. Certainly we will not deal with limitations of health or endurance or strength. But if we are honest, our attention and interest regularly falter sooner than our voices. Never again in heaven.   Two years ago, I charged into January resolved to sing every verse of... Continue Reading

The psalmists beheld the first exodus, and now believers can follow their gaze from the first exodus to the new exodus it foreshadowed.   “Look how united America was!” “Good people around the world stood against tyranny.” “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “That’s why they call it the greatest generation!” “Scientific innovation... Continue Reading