Today Sara Horn continues her discussion of five potential white N-O-I-S-Es in our life, covering the remaining four noises. 2. Other people’s opinions. Sara points out that, as much as we value our own opinions, we want to know what others think. The problem arises when we don’t like those opinions or we’re unsure what […]
“My heart is not proud, O LORD. My eyes are not haughty . . . I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”- Psalm 131:1-2 As John Ortberg concludes Chapter 14 of Soul Keeping, he discusses the concept of strategic […]
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”- Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV) As John Ortberg concludes Chapter 13 of Soul Keeping, he observes that we are “acutely sensitive to our souls […]
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”- James 3:10-11 “Blessing-giving should be asymmetrical. It’s not a form of barter. It’s grace.”- John Ortberg, Soul Keeping […]
“In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. . . my soul refused to be comforted.”- Psalm 77:2 (NASB) “He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”- Ecclesiastes 3:11 In Chapter […]
“Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path and the birds came and devoured it.”- Mark 4:3-4 Today John Ortberg (Soul Keeping) begins his discussion of three types of souls. 1. The Hardened Soul. Not only is that path the place where farmers walk, but it […]
“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”- Psalm 66:18 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”- 2 Corinthians 5:21 Timothy Keller concludes Chapter 14 of Prayer by reminding us that, in […]
Timothy Keller continues Chapter 14 of Prayer by stating that prayer is powerful and effective because God allows the world to be “in some sense” under the control of prayer’s power. He relates a story told by Austin Phelps in his volume on prayer. The pagan Saxon king of Northumbria, Ethelfrith, had invaded Wales and […]
Today Timothy Keller concludes his discussion of the twelve touchstones of prayer with the final three touchstones, clustered under the heading “Where Prayer Takes Us”. 10. Self knowledge: prayer requires and creates honesty and self-knowledge. Pastor Keller notes that prayer must take us beyond humility into deep honesty with ourselves. Although honesty in prayer before […]
“Prayer is a means to energy. Spiritual alertness, vigor, and confidence are the regular spin-off from earnest prayer on any subject.”- J. I. Packer, Knowing Christianity Timothy Keller continues Chapter 9 of Prayer by discussing three touchstones clustered under the title “What Prayer Gives”. Prayer gives us: 7. Perspective- prayer reorients your view toward God. […]
“As far as I can see, prayer has been ordained only for the helpless. . . . Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only he who is helpless can truly pray.”- Ole Hallesby, Prayer Timothy Keller continues his discussion of the twelve touchstones of prayer by presenting the three things prayer requires. Prayer requires: 4. Grace- […]
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope; because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”- Lamentations 3:21-22 “Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?”- Amelia Earhart A […]