The gowns of displeasured priests cascade shapelessly in rows before the peasant poor, encircled now to witness history arrive at the indictment of a perfect man. The anticipation is timeless, of course—a fine inheritance for a fool. Witnesses are occasioned, assessed. In Christ’s thoughts, Adam is naming the birds—his new wife off unknowingly carrying to […]
Last Sunday, the church where I serve as one of the pastors started our journey through the letter to the Hebrews. It is hard to deny that any of God’s Word is pertinent for any hour, but it seems like Hebrews is tailor-made for such a time as this. Why might that sentiment seem right? […]
“This is the service of the clans of the Gershonites, in serving and bearing burdens: they shall carry the curtains of the tabernacle and the tent of meeting with its covering…”—Numbers 4:23-24 Lord, Here I am—doing the service of my father’s clan. You have chosen us for this task: to carry the robes of you, our […]
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements and how inscrutable his ways!—Romans 11:33 My memory is such—and I acknowledge it as a gift from God that I do not presume will be available to me tomorrow—that there are certain flashbulb moments in my reading […]
I take the road that leads to love anew, Yet pause before and seek to spy the end. Can I return, a one so oft untrue And faithless? Can I now this course defend? Nigh half a score of years have passed since I Your favor held and first enjoyed your grace, But O! My […]
One of the refrains of a familiar Christmas carol is “peace on earth, good will to men.” When we think of Christmas, these themes have nearly always been accentuated, both in the general culture as well as in the Christian culture. And rightly so. They are biblical themes. Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, Immanuel, […]
O Adam! Formed of dust and breath divine, What many-hued inheritance is thine— Thou godlike figure blackly robed in vice With memory of verdant Paradise, Traversing mottled Earth and sapphire Sea And wondering at star and rock and tree—Thine is the gold that runs in mountain vein, Thine are the proud and reddened hands of […]
Charged with duty, when thou didst beget me Of protection, and provision, and love. Yet, poisoned drink and essence captivated thee; Title “Father” did you keep, however unworthy of. Though cast aside, advanced was I in enmity and grief. Love for you I declared; my duty, at least, I did perform. Armed with sorrow and […]
God is the Story-teller and the main character. He is the Bard and the hero. He authors the fairy tale and then comes to kill the dragon and get the girl. —Joe Rigney, “The Story-Teller Who Entered In,” desiringGod.org This is the first letter that I have written as president-elect to the friends and contributors […]