Early in the the fourth chapter of J.C. Ryle's Holiness, the author unequivocally shows from Scripture that the true Christian is called to fight, to be 'a man of war'. Indeed, Ryle rhetorically asks, what inspired scripture can mean when we read statements and commands in it such as 'Mortify your members which are upon… Continue reading The Christian is ‘A Man of War’
Writing to the suffering, persecuted Jewish Christians, the author of Hebrews quotes a Messianic passage in the Book of Habakuk (2:3) in order to encourage and admonish his readers to persevere. Hebrews 10:35-37 reads, "Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when… Continue reading Yet A Little While
A Different Preaching––such is the title of chapter seven in Iain Murray's biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (volume 1). If anyone today reckons the biblically weak, entertainment focused and cultural catering of the pulpit in present day America is merely a modern, 21st century infamy, Lloyd-Jones’s conviction and courage to stand against such foolishness nearly one-hundred… Continue reading A Different Preaching
Jan 4 I'm on a walk at lunch time. There's no doubt the birds are down to the 'winter crew'. That is to say, the bare bows and branches are graced with Black Capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Red-Bellied, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, Cardinals, White-Breasted Nuthatches, Blue Jays, Dark-Eyed Juncos, American Goldfinches, American Robins, Eastern Bluebirds,… Continue reading Corduroy Kid: January
A few weeks ago I was reminded of the marvelous truth totally central and indivisible to christianity. In John's gospel the apostle writes the stark and beautiful words 'Christ is the way' (John 14:6). I was reading a sermon of Robert Murray M'Cheyne's on the passage and was struck afresh by the wonder and the… Continue reading Christ Is the Way
Recently I've been taking Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M'Cheyne by Andrew A. Bonar down from my bookshelf. I've been sipping tea and turning pages for several weeks and can whole-heartedly say it is a book that has changed and blessed me. To be sure, the only reason it's been a blessing and a… Continue reading How God Works by Providences
In "The Glory of Christ" John Owen wrote of a wonderful truth made possible by Christ's atoning work. He said, "The glory of Christ is also seen in the stability and security that is given to the whole new creation...
October 29 It's been a day for birdwatching bar-none. In the morning I caught a glimpse of a Belted Kingfisher through twigs and faded leaves along the riverbank. I haven't seen many kingfishers in my days but the handful I have observed have never been more than twenty feet from a stream. The 'belted' name… Continue reading Corduroy Kid: October
August 8 I've recently adopted a new Saturday morning tradition. I've been making french toast from my whole wheat sourdough to enjoy with family-gathered Michigan maple syrup and strawberries. A bite of the before-mentioned and a sip of 'half-caf' pour-over coffee hits the spot every time. Typically some quiet reading is to follow. I've recently… Continue reading Corduroy Kid: August
July3 I’ve been glassing branches for birds for nearly an hour. I’ve been seeing and hearing Blue Jays, Robins, Cardinals, Gray Catbirds, Chickadees and even a Ruby Throated Hummingbird but haven’t got what I’ve really come for. At first I didn’t hear the shrill, flute-like song cascading through the leaves and limbs. Yet, as evening… Continue reading Corduroy Kid: July
