Killing the Red Lizard is a title derived from a scene in C. S. Lewis' little book, The Great Divorce. A little red lizard sits on a ghost's shoulder whispering lustful thoughts into his ear. Lewis says he got his idea of the title The Great Divorce in deference to Blake's Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Lewis used … [Read more...]
The Nature of Our Hope
What is the Nature of Our Hope? Is it not the redemption of our sick dying bodies and our wicked natures? And is not that hope found in Christ's accomplished work on our behalf? In Prayer and Spiritual Warfare (Saved in Hope), Charles Spurgeon wrote, Our hope of being completely delivered from sin in our spirits … [Read more...]
Biblical Covenantalism and Dispensationalism
What are Biblical Covenantalism and Dispensationalism? Is dispensationalism a heresy? Can it be improved? What about Covenant Theology? Back around 2004-2005, I decided it was high time I got myself a book on Systematic Theology. I was a relatively new Christian and wanted to learn more about theology. So I asked … [Read more...]
Spurgeon on Suffering Depression and Trials
Spurgeon on Suffering Depression and Trials: Perhaps it isn't commonly known that Charles Spurgeon suffered from depression. In his book, Spurgeon on the Christian Life, Michael Reeves notes that today he would most certainly be diagnosed as clinically depressed. At age twenty-two he was the pastor of a large … [Read more...]
A Heaven Without Christ?
What if you died and woke up in a heaven without Christ? Can there even be a Christ-less heaven? I'm sure many people today would prefer it that way. But might a heaven devoid of Christ actually be something else? I was first taught about Christ by my mother. For all its theological problems, Christ was also taught to … [Read more...]
On Grieving the Holy Spirit
On grieving the Holy Spirit. This is a term we sometimes hear. In what ways does this occur? How can we address this grieving in our lives? And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 4:30 Richard Sibbes In the devotional, Refreshment for the Soul, Sibbes … [Read more...]
Is Sharia Law a threat?
Is Sharia Law a threat? Said another way: is Sharia compatible with western values? Some people insist there’s no concern. One Substacker wrote, among other things: “It is not true that America is in danger of falling under Sharia law; saying so is a lie.” The writer labels several other concerns “lies.” This is … [Read more...]
Remembering MacGyver
Remembering MacGyver... No, this isn't about remembering MacGyver - the popular TV series which starred Richard Dean Anderson. MacGyver was my German Shepherd Dog. The decision to call him MacGyver came well before I met him. I suppose it was because I've always liked the name Mac. The problem was that "Mac" was a … [Read more...]
Prayer and the Saint’s Spiritual Condition
Prayer and the Saint's Spiritual Condition - According to J. C. Ryle, private diligent prayer is a gauge which will affect the Christian one way or another. The following snippets and thoughts aren't mine; they are taken from Ryle's little book A Call to Prayer. You can download an eBook copy from Monergism … [Read more...]
Christ Comforter and Shepherd
Christ Comforter and Shepherd. The Comforter poem can be found in “Anthology of Jesus,” edited by Warren Wiersbe (page 111). The Shepherd poem can be read in A. W. Tozer’s “The Christian Book of Mystical Verse” (pages 52, 53) The Comforter I heard the voice of Jesus say,“Come unto Me and rest;Lay down, thou … [Read more...]
