Poverty in spirit is the porch of the temple of blessedness…Till we are emptied of self we cannot be filled with God. Stripping must be worked upon us before we can be clothed with the righteousness which is from Heaven. (C.H. Spurgeon, “The First Beatitude”) I remember a dream I had once, when I wasContinue reading “From Ashes 11: The Poor in Spirit and the Fainting Minister”
Tag Archives: Jesus
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 10: Søren Kierkegaard – Original Sin and the Fear of Possibility
“When you’re absolute beginners,” folk singer M. Ward tells us, “it’s a panoramic view, from her majesty Mount Zion, and the kingdom is for you.” What he seems to suggest here is that, at any beginning point, there appears an infinite potentiality to life, stretching out like a majestic panorama before us. W.H. Auden, in hisContinue reading “From Ashes 10: Søren Kierkegaard – Original Sin and the Fear of Possibility”
Catechism 24
Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die? Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgivenessContinue reading “Catechism 24”
Pentecost
What wind swept through the house that day – what dawn arose, what day became? What life shone through the shuttered doors and lit a dancing flame? What trifold truth unloosened tongues – what fractured past now set aright? What joy made sober men seem drunk and woke the town to sight? What destiny setContinue reading “Pentecost”
Catechism 23
Why must the Redeemer be truly God? That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death. (New City Catechism) The price too great to pay ourselves, the heightContinue reading “Catechism 23”
From Ashes: Sturm und Drang
Out of the storm, He comes, He comes, clearly, speaking victory – comes with calmness in His step and silence for each dread. Watching mountains quake, they quake to see such sureness step upon these waves of doubting fury;Continue reading “From Ashes: Sturm und Drang”
Catechism 22
Why must the Redeemer be truly human? That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses. (New City Catechism) Mystery, this: the perfect life lived, Law satisfied, and yet my death visited onContinue reading “Catechism 22”
Family Tree
…and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2) What a father did once when an apple looked sweet sent tremors shaking through the earth, breaking roots, severing limbs, Continue reading “Family Tree”
Catechism 21
What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God? One who is truly human and also truly God. (New City Catechism) Can both dwell in one body – God and man, as though torn asunder, the two were somehow reconciled? As far as east is from west:Continue reading “Catechism 21”
The Consolations of Writing 