The Gospel Romance
Those who have listened to my ‘Riding on the Clouds’ podcast will know that I’ve often referred to the writing of Raymond C. Ortlund Jnr. Mary and I also had the privilege of listening to and meeting Ray at a…
Right eyes & sin
“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye…
Consumed by distrust
“But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, ‘Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honouring your father? Has not David sent his servant to you to search the city and…
Who am I?
A few days ago I jotted a short post about ‘Knowledge’ quoting a few lines from Boice’s commentary. The subject was so broad and I was very conscious that I had so lightly touched upon it and I half-wondered whether…
Don’t diminish the gospel
Forgiveness of sins is a wonderful blessing to proclaim as we declare the gospel of God. It is an especially wonderful message for the person burdened by guilt and sin. But, as Bill Dumbrell has pointed out, the gospel is…
Christos – Messiah
I preached on 2 Samuel 23 today in which David describes himself in his last words as ‘the anointed of the God of Jacob’. The word translated ‘anointed’ (mashiyach – that is, messiah) was interesting to research. I commented in my…
The Lord is my Rock
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge…” The late Pastor-author Eugene Peterson has some typically delightful commentary on these words: “The single most characteristic thing about David…
Knowledge
The opening chapter of the book of Proverbs establishes the foundation of knowledge: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7). James Montgomery Boice has this note about knowledge in his…
Last Words
“Now these are the last words of David…” (2 Samuel 23:1). A Major’s Last Letter Home As I have reflected upon the theme of ‘last words’ today, I have come across the famous letter of Major Sullivan Ballou. I’m not…
The inner garden
“Supposing him to be the gardener…” (John 20:15). Gordon MacDonald has a chapter entitled ‘Order in the Garden’ in his book ‘Ordering Your Private World’. I have often found his image of the garden very helpful and have found it…