Encouragement to help you through the week.
Beloved, We are beginning our exposition of the 107 questions and answers of the Shorter Catechism today. I’m designing these weekly devotions to be read aloud and to be comprehended by children (with the goal of eventually compiling them into…
Beloved, After the evening service last week, the session approved the small book I wrote during this year’s study break to be distributed to the members of our church. Prepared to Partake: Discipling Our Children Toward the Table is a unique resource,…
Beloved, It is unfortunate that when most American evangelicals hear the word “catechism” today, they either scratch their heads in confusion or assume we are capitulating to Roman Catholicism. This shows just how far we have departed from our roots. Historically, it…
This week I started working through an amazing book in private worship by John Owen titled The Reason of Faith. I’ll spare you from its longer title which, in typical Puritan fashion, is fifty-two words in length! It is a treatise…
The last two decades have given rise to a proliferation of books on burnout and self-care. There is much help to be found in some of these works, particularly those written from a Christian perspective. We need reminders like the…
Beloved, As I was mapping out my week on Monday morning, I was freshly struck by the incremental gains of daily discipline. At the top of my planner for the week, I always write out my “top three.” These are…
Beloved, The week after Emma’s death, one of you kindly gave us a rosebush to plant in her memory. One day, it will bloom with beautiful, sweet-smelling flowers that will remind us of that beautiful and sweet little girl. But…
Beloved, This week marked the beginning of our church-wide study of Ecclesiastes. As the men gathered Tuesday night to discuss the opening verses—most of which focus on the vaporous vanity of work—the word pessimistic kept coming up. The reality of our near-approaching death…
Beloved, Please excuse me over the next couple of weeks as I continue to process Emma’s death. Her funeral was last Thursday, and I had hoped it would bring some closure and respite from the grief. But it has done…
Beloved, It goes without saying that husbands don’t particularly like when their wives become the objects of flirtatious behavior from other men. After all, one typically flirts with someone when seeking their attention and attraction. I’ve been reflecting this week…
Beloved, I was thankful that my hotel at presbytery had a small gym. After all, presbytery involves nearly endless sitting, so it was good to be able to sweat a little in the early mornings before our meetings. Since my…
Beloved, I wonder how often you consider what a tremendous privilege it is to be a Christian. How easy it is to grow cold and accustomed to the fact that, through Christ, we have been reconciled to God. God belongs…