Timothy Keller pairs and considers Calvin’s third and fourth rules of prayer in today’s blog. 3 and 4. Restful trust, yet confident hope. Calvin’s third rule is that we should have a submissive trust in God, trusting in Him even when things aren’t going the way we would wish them to go. Prayer enables us […]
“Through him [Christ] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”- Ephesians 2:18 In Chapter 5 of Prayer, Timothy Keller astutely observes that while we know God is working out all things for our good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), we usually can’t discern what that good is. Stated another way, we […]
“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”- Colossians 1:27 In Chapter 3 (“What is Prayer?”) of Prayer, Timothy Keller presents his concept of prayer by drawing on two seemingly opposing views on prayer- mystical versus prophetic […]
In Chapter 2 of Prayer Timothy Keller focuses on the hardness (difficulty) and the centrality of prayer. He cites The Still Hour, a classic book on prayer by nineteenth-century American theologian Austin Phelps. Phelps began with the premise that “a consciousness of the absence of God is one of the standing incidents of religious life.” Pastor […]
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread because of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will never leave you or forsake you.”- Deuteronomy 31:6 “God made the world round so we would never be able to see too far down the road.”- Isak Dinesen […]
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin.”- Hebrews 4:15 Max Lucado concludes Chapter 16 of Next Door Savior by stressing that Jesus journeyed into the wilderness for […]
He (Jesus) said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”- Luke 5:4-5 In Chapter 5 (“Try Again- Discouraged People”) of Next Door Savior, Max Lucado describes […]
Max Lucado references and discusses Mark’s account where Jesus heals a sick woman and Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:25-34) in Chapter 4 (“The Hand God Loves to Hold- Desperate People”) of Next Door Savior. Both the woman and Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, find themselves on the same path in the village, even though they […]
And Jesus said,, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”- Luke 23:34 In Chapter 12 (“Defeatism- It’s Too Late Now”) of AHA, Kyle Idleman observes that “life can reach a point when it feels like things have gone too far.” Like Humpty Dumpty, there are too many broken pieces to put together […]
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather he lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom.”- Isaiah 40:11 “Christianity is not about religion. It’s about faith, about being held, about being forgiven. It’s about finding joy and finding home.”- Bear Grylls My wife Vicki’s ninety-five year old aunt, […]
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”- 2 Corinthians 7:10 “The experience of loss does not need to be the defining moment of the story. Instead, the defining moment can be our response to the loss. It is not what happens to us that matters […]
He (Elisha) said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.”- 2 Kings 6:16 Kyle Idleman concludes Chapter 6 of AHA with the third and fourth Scriptural examples of how […]