Thoughts on “I will not forget your word.”

Yesterday, I mentioned the resolutions of the Psalmist in Psalm 119:15-16 as resolutions (or issues of repentance) for  every day . . . and the New Year also.  I also mentioned that I desired to return to some of the practical outworkings of these resolutions today – Christmas day.  But as Patrick Schreiner’s advice concerning brevity [...]

Some Resolutions from Psalm 119

Or perhaps, as a friend would say, “repentances” (rather than resolutions).  Last night, Jenny and I began to read through Psalm 119 together with the intention of reminding ourselves of the majesty of the Scriptures inner testimony of itself.  I was particularly struck by vv. 9-16 – they remained through the night, prodding my heart [...]

“Thoughts From Hawaii” #1: Interrogating the Text Puritanically

I understand that “puritanically” has come to be a word that is used negatively, but that is not my intention in the use of it.  I have found the Puritan’s method of interrogating the text to be quite helpful and insightful, often producing insights that  pierce and penetrate the soul with the deep wonders of [...]

Thoughts on a “Brush Over” Passage

Typically, Exodus 22 is not one of those chapters that you take the time to . . . think through.  And this is poor on many of our accounts.  Recent time spent translating the text caused me to slow down and deal with what was in the chapter.  Here are some thoughts, oxen, donkeys, and [...]

Props for Journaling

Dr. Shawn Wright, commenting on Augustine’s prolific writing, and somewhat paraphrasing Augustine himself, says, “he learned as he wrote.”  The implication is that writing (or typing) causes us to think, to codify, to systematize, to formulate arguments, to determine answers, in a word, to learn.  I would also say, speaking personally, that it internalizes what [...]

A Series of Gleanings

You must pardon me for my absence, but in God’s providence, life has gently swallowed me up – but not without many wonderful wanderings through the land of the Bible, and in that pilgrimage, a great many gleanings from its eternal richness.  I don’t know particularly how many gleanings there will be jotted upon this [...]

Vacuuming and the Paradigms of Greek Grammar

What do these two things have in common?  Almost nothing is the quick and easy answer.  I say almost nothing because at an hour and half into my professor’s lecture on Greek Grammar the two collided and for a brief moment were simultaneously swimming about in my mind.  Thus, is their slight commonality.  And to [...]

Consider Yourself, Consider Christ

I have recognized in myself the sinful propensity and inclination to think or speak in a belittling fashion towards others – particularly those that I do not know, that I may catch at a passing glance.  And I have recognized the same propensity any many others recently as well.  And this is not surprising, for [...]

On Worship

For a couple of Piper talks on Worship, go here.

For Education in the Church

I have a great desire to see the body of Christ as a well-educated bunch.  Not that many congregations aren’t filled with educated people.  There are brilliant individuals in the body of Christ who have majored in engineering, education, philosophy, architecture, mathematics, and the sciences.  But while such people can be highly qualified in their [...]