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...]
A Coming King
I've always loved fantasy, especially the kind inspired by British folklore and surrounding countries. Many of them were based on the idea of a coming king. Years ago I collected a set of books which included the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I also loved reading T. H. White's The Sword in … [Read more...]
Rejoice and Tremble in The Lord?
Rejoice and tremble in the Lord? It almost sounds like an oxymoron. Yet Michael Reeves has written that fear and joy of the Lord go hand in hand. Rejoice & Tremble: The Surprising Good News of the Fear of the Lord is the title of a book written by Mike Reeves. This post isn't a review. You can read someone … [Read more...]
Inner Sanctuary and True Joy
The following thoughts on true joy are taken from Charles Ross' almost forgotten little book called The Inner Sanctuary. Ross' book is an exposition of John Chapters 13-17, often known as the Upper Room Discourse. From Banner of Truth: Charles Ross was brought to a knowledge of the truth while very young. He … [Read more...]
Matthew Henry on the Method of Prayer
Matthew Henry is perhaps best known for his Bible Commentary. I first came across him when I downloaded my first copy of the E-Sword Bible program. His commentary is available as a free download. Henry (1662-1714) died after finishing Genesis through to Acts. The rest of his commentary was finished by friends utilizing … [Read more...]
The Joyful Prayer of Augustine
The Joyful Prayer of Augustine: Often when thinking of Augustine I remember the man who allegorized eschatology - rejected premillennialism, converted to amillennialism. It would be fair to say that many premillennialists and non-Calvinists avoid reading Augustine. Yet one thing I was taught over the years was that … [Read more...]
Gloomy Dark and Sad Gethsemane
Gloomy, Dark and Sad Gethsemane! These are expressions used by the great hymn writers. For one night it surely was a place of doom and gloom. Yet Christ was victorious. A Place Called Gethsemane Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and … [Read more...]
From Rejoicing Trees to Clapping Rivers
From rejoicing trees to clapping rivers - the entire creation gives glory to the Lord God Almighty. Even The heavens declare the glory of God. Psalm 19:1. Chronicles Give to the LORD the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, … [Read more...]
A Door into Aslan’s Country
A door into Aslan's Country: In the beginning of C. S. Lewis' book The Silver Chair Eustace Scrubb and Jill Pole go through a door in a wall in order to escape bully-students who are out to get them. The door in the wall ends up being a door into Alan's Country. I'm particularly fond of that part of the book. We find … [Read more...]
Psalm 27 Fearless Trust in God
Psalm 27 is all about having a fearless trust in God. David knew all about fears. He was constantly beset by enemies. Yet he found refuge and peace in God. This is a lesson for us all, and one I'm trying to learn. In his book Rejoice and Tremble Michael Reeves cites Matthew 6:31-33 where Jesus tells his disciples … [Read more...]
