Happy Reformation Day

In celebration of Reformation Day I am providing for you a quote from Martin Luther:

"Night and day I pondered until I saw the connection between the justice of God and the statement that 'the just shall live by his faith.' Then I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise."

Soli Deo Gloria!

It's Time to Pray

In the Apostle Paul's closing words in his first letter to the Thessalonian church he included this little phrase: "pray without ceasing."

I have said many times, "I'm not very smart." Consequently, I read such a verse in scripture and believe that it means what it says. What are the implications for me then?

I suppose I have one option, pray.

Pray today and tonight and tomorrow and the rest of the week. Pray for my family, my church and my country. Pray in thanksgiving for all that God has done. Pray in praise to God for all that He is. Pray as an intercessor for those who are hurting. Pray for the hundreds of unbelievers in our community. Pray that the Lord would give me courage to share Christ with them. Pray for my children. Pray for guidance to parent them and teach them about the Lord Jesus. Pray for wisdom to teach God's Word in an accurate way. Pray for protection against the traps of the enemy. Pray for others who I know who are ministering to churches around the country. Pray for the missionaries who are attempting to share the gospel with the world. Pray for you, as you read these words.

You get the idea I suppose. The list above is just a small sampling of how we can pray. The task is great. The joy is greater. Now, it's time to pray!

Christian in Name Only

"In countries to which Christian civilization has spread, large numbers of people have covered themselves with a decent, but thin, veneer of Christianity. They have allowed themselves to become somewhat involved; enough to be respectable but not enough to be uncomfortable. Their religion is a great, soft cushion. It protects them from the hard unpleasantness of life, while changing its place and shape to suit their convenience. No wonder the cynics speak of hypocrites in the church and dismiss religion as escapism." John Stott, Basic Christianity, pg. 137

No further explanation from me is necessary. Care to comment?

No New Posts

I haven't had a thought worth posting in days. What does that say about my life, my ability to maintain a blog, or my personal intellect?

I suppose there are more important things than electronic media. Let's see if I can list one or two: The Bible, prayer, family, corporate worship, silence, coffee, personal relationships, exercise (never thought I'd put that on a list anywhere). I'll stop there but I'm certain there are more to include. Feel free to add to this list.

Thanks to those who stop by regularly, even when there is nothing to read here Under the Steeple. Soon a great wave of profound thought will capsize my brain and it will overflow onto my computer screen for all the world to see. Not likely, but I will post again someday.

Until then, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; Call upon Him while He is near."

I Stand Amazed

I was reminded of this hymn earlier in the week. I have hummed it and sung it to myself. Now I share it with you. I have only included a few verses and the chorus. Rich and simple truth is often found in our Christian hymns. Stand amazed!

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Here's a link to the hymn writer's bio.

Our God is a Mountain Mover

Today Josiah rejoined his Mom, Dad and three brothers at home. It has been three weeks since a very traumatic event landed him in the ICU, apparently near death. Thousands of folks around the world have been following his story, praying for him and his family, weeping tears of heartache and joy and marvelling at God's grace and mercy.

I am struck by the power of this situation and more so, how God has used it. My little brain is not able to process some of the big questions about how and why things happen. Here's what I know for sure: God is able to "move mountains" if that is His will. And He can do it in unexpected and amazing ways. Yet, there are other times that He chooses to work in ways that make us scratch our heads and say, "I would have done it differently." Still, He is God, He is sovereign, He is amazing, He is gracious, He is merciful and He is always faithful...to His plans, for His glory.

It is our task, as His creation, not to question Him, but to worship Him. To move beyond speculation toward adulation. To stop doubting and begin praising. To look past the wisdom of man to the cross of Christ. At the end of the day, He ALONE is worthy, of all glory and honor and praise.

Today, we praise Him for His gracious healing and His magnificent provision for Josiah. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.