Mark Batterson begins Chapter 3 (“Unlearning Your Fears”) of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by exhorting us not to let mental lions keep us from experiencing everything God has to offer- because the greatest breakthroughs in our lives will happen when we push through the fear. That means we need […]
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”- Ephesians 2:10 As Mark Batterson continues Chapter 2 of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, he reminds us that before the beginning of time, God planned for every contingency […]
” . . . the most portentous (significant) fact about any man is not what he at any given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like. . . .”- A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy (1978) In Chapter 2 of In a Pit with […]
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.”- Psalm 139:5 While we operate within specific dimensions, God is omni-dimensional, as Mark Batterson notes in Chapter 2 of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. He adds that the phrase “over the water” (Genesis 1:2) comes from the two-dimensional […]
In Chapter 2 (“The Odd Thing About Odds”) of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Mark Batterson observes that, from a human standpoint, Benaiah’s odds on defeating the lion weren’t good. Scripture is silent on whether or not Benaiah had a weapon, so the encounter most likely was hand-to-paw combat. Furthermore, […]
“And Benaiah, the son of Johoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels (either “lionlike men” or “altars”) of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen.”- 2 Samuel 23:20 Mark Batterson, lead pastor of […]
“Then shall those powers, which work for grief, Enter thy pay, And day by day Labour thy praise, and my relief; With care and courage building me, Till I reach heav’n, and much more, thee.”- George Herbert, “Affliction III” As Timothy Keller begins the concluding chapter (Chapter 16-“Hoping”) of Walking with God through Pain and […]
As Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 15 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, he observes that even for those who believe in God, God can be just an abstraction. The key to feeling more in love with God is not trying to work directly on our emotions. Rather, we need to let our emotions flow […]
[God alone] is the place of peace that cannot be disturbed, and he will not hold himself from your love unless you withhold your love from him.- Augustine, Confessions Today Timothy Keller complete his discussion of three disciplines St. Paul speaks of to engage the peace of God. 3. The discipline of reordering our loves. […]
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”- Philippians 4:6 Today Timothy Keller discusses the second discipline in which to engage learning “the peace of God”, as presented in Chapter 15 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering. 2. […]
” . . . whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable . . . think about these things.”- Philippians 4:8-9 As Timothy Keller continues Chapter 15 of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, he reminds us that the peace of God is not a […]
“The Son of God suffered unto death, not that men might not suffer, but that their sufferings might be like His.”- George MacDonald, Unspoken Sermons, First Series Timothy Keller begins Chapter 15 (“Thinking, Thanking, Loving”) of Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by defining/discussing the “peace of God” St. Paul speaks of in Philippians […]