Is baptism with water the washing away of sin itself? No, only the blood of Christ and the renewal of the Holy Spirit can cleanse us from sin. (New City Catechism) God, no water is enough. Stains worsen when washed deeper in; this is the deepest, from Adam to now. Only blood can washContinue reading “Catechism 45”
Tag Archives: forgiveness
Catechism 41
What is the Lord’s Prayer? Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver usContinue reading “Catechism 41”
Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)
Confessional Hymn After Gavin Bryars, “Cadman Requiem” We were not there when stars were flung wide, wide, across the vast expanse. We were not there when hearts were knit, when breath was breathed inside. We were not there when plans were made, when laws in hearts were broken. YetContinue reading “Confessional Hymn, After Gavin Bryars’ “Cadman Requiem” (Cornucopia of Heaven)”
Catechism 25
Does Christ’s death mean all our sins can be forgiven? Yes, because Christ’s death on the cross fully paid the penalty for our sin, God graciously imputes Christ’s righteousness to us as if it were our own and will remember our sins no more. (New City Catechism) All? It seems a dream which never humanContinue reading “Catechism 25”
From Ashes: Sonnet
Though fearfully and wonderfully made, There are abscesses where my dirt is stored: See here, the time I learnt to cry, to wade In mud and mire, and hurt of my own accord. Though Grace has breathed its breath in me, I still Retain the sick fruit of Adam’s broken soil; In pain, in guilt,Continue reading “From Ashes: Sonnet”
Catechism 19
Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favour? Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment for sin, by a Redeemer. (New City Catechism) Yet Eve’s offspringContinue reading “Catechism 19”
Lent 39: Saturday of Fifth Week
Sit with Him; eat with Him; dip the bread, by His side – Surely Lord not I? Walk with Him through olive trees; fall asleep and fail to pray; watch as one of you betrays – Surely Lord not I? Warm yourself by cosy fires; answer truth with spitting lies; listen as theContinue reading “Lent 39: Saturday of Fifth Week”
O Sacred Head: Streaming Page CXVI’s “Good Friday to Easter” Day 1
As Easter rapidly approaches, I find myself feeling less and less equipped for what is ahead: Jesus on the Cross, bearing my sins. Even less prepared am I for the reality of the Resurrection – new life for old, us the sinners sharing in His glory. But this is the truth, and it can be aContinue reading “O Sacred Head: Streaming Page CXVI’s “Good Friday to Easter” Day 1″
Lent 33: Fifth Sunday of Lent
Until we know the depths Until we know our depth of sin Until we know the depths we fall Until we know the deep Until we know the fear Until we know to fear the One Who rightly could cast us astray Into the depths we seek Until we know to wait Until we knowContinue reading “Lent 33: Fifth Sunday of Lent”
Lent 25: Saturday of Third Week
Yet we close our hearts to the man who cuts us off driving or sits in our seat. And we close up the access and passage to remorse when the sins of our fathers still fester in minds: the servant who casts his debtor into the prison from which he too had been freed. Father,Continue reading “Lent 25: Saturday of Third Week”
The Consolations of Writing 