Posted in family, parenting on February 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Let me introduce you to the most important rule when talking to your kids about the sermon: They retain more than you think they do. The second most important rule is like it: They understand more than you think they do.
In the interest of these two truths I’m writing this brief guide on how to talk to your kids about a sermon.
HT: Trevin Wax
Posted in marriage, tagged marriage on February 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
What is a way out of a bad marriage without getting a divorce? Here is Mike Mason’s answer:
One thing that is very important to know in marriage is that there is always a way out. And the way out is not divorce! No, the way out in marriage (no matter how bad things may get) is simply to put everything we have back on the line, our whole hearts and lives, just as we did the moment we took our vows. We must return to an attitude of total abandonment, of throwing all our natural caution and defensiveness to the winds and putting ourselves entirely in the hands of love by an act of the will. Instead of falling into love, we may now have to march into it. [Mike Mason, The Mystery of Marriage.]
HT: Words of Grace
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged marriage, same-sex marriage on February 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
“The President has made his decision. The Attorney General has now made his announcement. Mark your calendars for yesterday [2/22/11. That day now represents a tragic milestone in the betrayal of marriage.”
Read Al Mohler’s commentary on the end of DOMA.
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged doubt on February 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Interesting. . . Justin blogs,
Doubt can be one of the hardest struggles for Christians—especially if you are a ministry leader.
If this describes you, Reclaiming the Mind is starting a new project where you can log on to a forum anonymously and talk through various issues.
You also may want to check out Os Guinness’s book, God in the Dark: The Assurance of Faith Beyond a Shadow of Doubt.
May God rescue each of us who confess, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Posted in psalms, tagged God's love on February 25, 2011 | 1 Comment »
“Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us. . . .Praise the Lord! ” (Psalm 117:1–2, ESV)
When you think of the word “great” what comes to mind? We think of large, remarkable, distinguished, awesome, stunning, superior, and much more. How about prevailing? How about overpowering?
That’s how Martin Luther thought about the phrase “great is his steadfast love toward us.” It conquers everything. Luther wrote
“Although sin makes itself felt, death bares its teeth, and the devil frightens us, still there is far more grace to prevail over all sin, far more life to prevail over death, and far more God to prevail over all devils. In this kingdom sin, death and the devil are nothing more than the black clouds of the material heaven. For a time they may well conceal heaven, but they cannot prevail. They must stay beneath the heavens and suffer it to remain, prevail, and rule over them; and at last they must pass away. Therefore although sin bites us, death frightens us, and the devil throws his weight around with temptation, these are still only clouds. The heaven of grace prevails and rules; in the end they must remain below and surrender.”
In this sense Psalm 117:2 reminds me of the NT description of God’s love:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. ” (Romans 8:38–39)
Be strengthened by God’s grace as you are overwhelmed with his steadfast love today!
Posted in Uncategorized on February 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
One of the most well-known theologians was asked in his later years, “What is the greatest thought you ever had?”
He replied after a long pause, “Jesus loved me this I know for the Bible tells me so!
“Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! ” (Psalm 117:1–2, ESV)
