Things worth reading and praying when a bridge collapses

How do you respond when a bridge collapses (or a tower falls)? What are you to think? What do you tell your children or young believers (or unbelievers) about God in such a situation? Three writers (one “old,” and two contemporary), help us answer these questions in a biblical framework: Oswald Chambers Al Mohler John […]

Audio worth hearing

I was first introduced to Arturo Azurdia by The Master’s Seminary chapel audio. Then, while on vacation the last couple of weeks, I listened to several more of his sermons. He is clear, compelling, convicting, and faithful to the text in his exposition. His sermons are well worth hearing, because he listens to God (chapter […]

Lessons Remembered After a Midnight Phone Call

When the phone rings at midnight, awakening you from a deep and hard sleep, it rarely rings with happy news. “Mr. Enns? This is Pastor ________. Your daughter is ok, but she’s been in an accident at camp and has been hurt…We’re getting ready to take her to the emergency room…” With those words last […]

Nothing new about truth

Solomon said that there is “nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9). I’ve understood that to be true in a variety of circumstances. Death is sorrowful. Marriage is the greatest source of earthly joy (and often sorrow). Sin is devastating. Always. Where there are people, there will be conflict. Where there is Christ, there can […]

Something worth reading about reading

Today’s blog on Desiring God contained a helpful commentary, “On Reading.” It is worth reading (as are the links it provides to other encouragements to read). There have never been more good books (nor more bad books, too) available than what we have available today. And most of them can be delivered to our doors […]

Sunday Leftovers (7/15/07)

Yesterday morning I read an extended quote from Tedd Tripp’s book Shepherding a Child’s Heart (one of the very best books on parenting). Here is the rest of the quote that I left unread (the entire quote was from pp. 38-40): Remember Proverbs 4:23. Life flows out of the heart. Parenting cannot be concerned only […]

The importance of the Gospel

The gospel has always been controversial and attacked. This afternoon I began listening to Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ sermon “Christianity — the Only Hope” preached a generation ago. And his lament in that day was largely the same as today — a concern over a declining interest in the truth, the power of the Word of God […]

Sunday Leftovers (7/8/07)

For the most part, the much dreaded millennium bug was pretty much a non-event. For a 105-year-old woman in Norway, it provided an occasion for a reflective chuckle. Because the computer for a local government agency that offered free daycare to all five-year-olds in Oslo, it pulled all the records of children born in ’94 […]

Preparing for worship

A few days ago, Oswald Chambers wrote the following in My Utmost for His Highest. It is a fitting reminder and call as we prepare for worship on Sunday. Have I allowed the Spirit of God freedom to examine my heart so that my fellowship with Christ might be true and that the Lord would […]

Salsa recipe

If you like Mexican food, and like fresh salsa with a little bite, try this one. It’s excellent on chips, homemade tortillas, grilled chicken sandwiches and hamburgers. [Or, try my favorite restaurant salsa, from Blue Mesa Grill.] I don’t measure anything, so my measurements here are guesses: 3-4 cloves garlic Juice of one lime 1 […]

Worthy of imitation

Several years ago, basketball player Charles Barkley created no small amount of controversy when he said, “I am not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on a basketball court. Parents should be role models. Just because I can dunk a basketball, that doesn’t mean I should raise your kids…” […]

Gratitude when robbed

Last week our church building was broken into again. It’s happened several times over the years, and every time it happens, my mind immediately thinks of the words of Matthew Henry after he was robbed: Let me be thankful. First, because I was never robbed before.Second, because although they took my wallet, they did not […]

On the reading of many books

Having books and resources at our disposal is a good and blessed gift from God. But at times it is overwhelming to consider what to read and what to give our attention to the most. In previous generations, the question was not “do I have enough time to read?’ but, “do I have enough to […]

Sunday Leftovers (7/1/07)

It was supposed to be just a simple, brief, quiet lunch at home with Raye Jeanne and the girls. A respite in the midst of a busy schedule. The taste of some sweet fellowship to nourish our hearts with each other until we came together again at the end of the day. At the time […]

Spurgeon on the cross

Charles Spurgeon, in “Mourning at the Sight of the Crucified:” Is there not one among you who can play the man, and insult the Man of Nazareth to his face? No, not one! Like cowardly dogs, they slink away! The infidel’s bragging tongue is silent! The proud spirit of the atheist is broken; his blusterings […]