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 […]

Sunday Leftovers (6/24/07)

The cross is God’s “foolish” work to extricate pride from our lives. Now don’t misunderstand; by that it is not meant that men should not boast. Not only do all men boast, but all men should boast. The question is not whether or not we should boast. The question is whether we are boasting in […]

How a Boy Becomes a Man

In a two-part commentary two years ago, Al Mohler noted 13 marks of manhood — 13 qualities that not only signify that transition has taken place from boyhood to manhood, but also 13 targets for fathers to take aim at in the process of discipling their children. While he provides comment with each one, simply […]

A Father’s Encouragement

This morning I read a quotation from Thomas Fuller (1608-1661). It is a succinct reminder both of the weight of our influence on and the extent of God’s grace on our children as we seek to father them to the glory of God. Lord, I find the genealogy of my Savior strangely checkered with four […]

Sunday Leftovers (6/17/07)

One writer has noted that “there is a ‘father hunger’ in every one of us — an insatiable desire to know our fathers.” I believe he is right and I believe that produces at least two clear implications. One, it behooves a father to do all he can to fulfill that hunger by being intentional […]