Bible, theology, culture, etc.
William Cowper (1731-1800), one of the great poets and hymn writers in the history of the church, was born in London and lived during the time of the Great Awakening of George Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, and most influential of all in his life, John Newton. Cowper’s life, which was riddled with severe depression, … Continue reading Suicide and Grace: The Life of William Cowper
“How can we not notice something, that the first part of this prayer, 40%, 50% of the prayer that Jesus gives us is all about God (Matthew 6:9-13). Nothing to do with your little needs, nothing to do with your little difficulties, nothing to do with you, and there nothing you need more than not … Continue reading The Goal of Prayer – Tim Keller
This week for Christian Music that Doesn't Suck Mondays, we have "I Asked the Lord" by Indelible Grace. Indelible Grace is a classic worship band, specializing in singing only hymns in a contemporary way. I appreciate them because they bring up excellent hymns that many other contemporary bands skip over. Why it doesn't suck: This song, originally … Continue reading CMTDS Mondays: “I Asked the Lord” by Indelible Grace
Right around Halloween there always seems to be an increase in slasher-horror flicks, all involving a group of teens with poor judgement and short life expectancies, meandering about some haunted house for ninety minutes as they slowly start disappearing one by one. Ouija, a movie that centers around a group of teenagers interacting with a ouija board … Continue reading The Christian and the Occult
A soldier fighting a war in a far off distant land, returning home to reunite with family and friends: few things are more powerful. Children running forward, crying out for their parent's arms that have been absent for too long. Husband and wife, embracing one another amidst tears and kisses, clutching onto what has been robbed … Continue reading Why We Love it When Soldiers Come Home
The Music of the Ainur There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang … Continue reading Tolkien’s Middle-Earth Creation Story
Reality of Guilt Close your eyes and think of the last time you did something you know you shouldn’t have done. It could be a big thing, it could be a small thing. Think about it – now answer me this: why did you do it? If you knew it was wrong, then why? The … Continue reading Christ, Our Deliverer (Sermon Transcript Romans 7:21-25)
How was Abraham saved? What about Noah? Adam? Moses? David? How did they get to heaven, if Christ hadn't come to die on the cross and raise from the grave yet? This is a fairly common question that pretty much anyone reading the Bible has asked (including myself). In this post I will hope to … Continue reading How Were People in the Old Testament Saved?
In the book of Isaiah, chapter 36, there is an interesting piece of narrative that tells of the invading armies of Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, encamping against Jerusalem. Sennacherib sends his high-ranking military office, the Rabshakeh, to lead a massive army, most likely numbering around 200,000, against the nation of Judah. So far, the … Continue reading Resist the Enemy
It's been a pretty hectic past couple of weeks. For those of you who may not know yet, this weekend Hillary and I will be taking a 20 foot Uhaul, two cars and a dog halfway across the nation to the motherland of corn, crazed college football fans, and flat open spaces: Nebraska. "What is Nebraska … Continue reading We’re Moving!
Marc Sims 