Solomon tells us that “a happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing” (Proverbs 17:22, AMP). God undoubtedly has a sense of humor; we need only look at some of the animals He created (it’s hard not to smile at the sight of a hippo, a monkey, or a puppy). Or think of some of the married couples you know: don’t you think God was smiling at the wedding as He looked ahead to the interaction of the wildly different personalities that will be living together?posts tagged father
Jeremy Taylor on prayer
Last night’s compline prayers included a passage by 17th-century British clergyman Jeremy Taylor:
There is no greater proof in the world of our spiritual danger than the reluctance which most people always have and all people sometimes have to pray; so weary of their length, so glad when they are done, so clever to excuse and neglect […]
personal attention
Most of us like personal attention, knowing that someone else has given thought to us individually and specifically. But so many Christians don’t seem to believe that personal attention can occur between themselves and God, and certainly, the lost don’t believe that such a thing exists — -and they often make fun of us who not only […]
mighty to save
Since last Thursday, I’ve been trying to write about Isaiah 63:1, where God declares Himself “mighty to save.” My goal is to blog before 6 a.m. each day, mostly because I have no interruptions that early in morning. I occasionally manage to blog later in the day, but not often. And so it has been for the last several days.
I was up and ready to write, but about 5:15, Zack came in panicked about a project he had due that day. So Thursday was gone, and Friday morning too, as I helped him proofread an assignment (we’re working on procrastination!). Friday night Zack had two friends over to celebrate his fourteenth birthday (I think they went to sleep about 3 a.m.), and Saturday morning Isaac played soccer at 8. Yesterday, we had a mother-daughter tea party in honor of Anna’s sixth birthday (tea parties are harder to pull off than you might think). And these are just the big things that happened! I’ve been running around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off for the last several days.
Throughout all this frenetic activity, I’ve been hanging on to “mighty to save.” Last Thursday, I read Charles Spurgeon’s devotional on this verse. Spurgeon’s vivid language brings out the richness of these three words mighty to save:
praying to the Father
Even if you didn’t grow up saying the “Our Father” every Sunday, it would be nearly impossible to grow up in church and not hear God called Father. Because of this, it never occurred to me that Jesus was doing something radical when He presented God Almighty as Father. I knew Jesus called God Father frequently, but I wondered about the Old Testament. A quick search revealed that the term doesn’t occur very often. Not even David, who had an incredibly intimate relationship with God, used that term, though he gave us such vivid terms as Rock, Fortress, and Stronghold…
obedience brings growth
Today’s entry from My Utmost for His Highest is well-timed for me. Chambers says that if we want scientific understanding, go for intellect, but if we want spiritual understanding, we must obey. (I should note here that as far I as I can tell, Chambers was not anti-intellectual; rather, he recognized that God’s economy works differently.)
To […]
If we don’t win today, we’ll win tomorrow
My favorite part of Cooke’s The Secret of a Powerful Inner Life comes early on, as he discusses life in the Spirit and Paul’s declaration that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Most Christians know this, but my own experience and observation suggest that many Christians don’t really believe it; they have head knowledge — -a fact and a memorized verse — -but they don’t have the reality of it — -belief — -in their hearts. Cooke personalizes this vital truth, making it clear and believable:
God does not beat us up over missing it one day. In fact, His love bubbles over for us: “I know the struggle you’re having, but it’s a good fight. I promise, it’s a good fight you can win. Just stop condemning yourself for it. If we don’t win today, we’ll win tomorrow. Every day is a new day, by My mercy.”
The next morning we wake up, and God says, “Okay, it’s a new day. I’ve gotten rid of yesterday; let’s not carry anything forward into today. Let’s have a fresh crack at it, together. I refuse to allow you to beat yourself up over what happened yesterday.”
Meditate on this for a while: can you hear your God and Father saying this to you?
Grandpa Switzer
My parents were in town this week on their way to and from seeing their new great-grandsons, the twins. Thursday night, we were talking about my mother’s parents, and particularly her father, Leo B. Switzer. I loved Grandpa Switzer — -he was the quintessential grandfather: kind, funny, affectionate. I remember sitting on his lap; he would squeeze my leg just behind the knee to make me laugh. I also remember how he smelled, though for the life of me I can’t find words to describe it. I don’t think it was cologne or aftershave, and it wasn’t unpleasant; it was just Grandpa. I always remember him smiling….
Reflections on a Christ-centered, grace-filled life. Writer and teacher Dan Butcher's blog takes an eclectic approach to faith.
Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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