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The Good Rod

  And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:5-6 ESV             Have we forgotten the exhortation? Have we forgotten the principle behind it? I am quite sure we have at some point. The discipline of God is difficult for us, because it very often involves taking from us the crutch, we had been trusting in to hobble along and keep upright. These comfort God snatches away sending us floundering, until at last we founder upon the shifting sands, or upon the solid rock. It is the latter which God desires for our good and His glory. He disciplines only to bring us to Himself. Why? Because that is where we are meant to be, fully, completely, totally, entirely, and absolutely relying upon Him alone. I used that string o...
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The Last Conversation with Grandad

  The Last Conversation with Granddad; A Eulogy for Marshall Helms             There is so much that needs to be done, and so precious little time. There are some here who need comfort, and some who need assurance, and some who need encouragement, and some who need to be admonished. Yes, there is much to do, and precious little time. So, let us pray. Father, the task before me is overwhelming, and I have no strength for it. Abide with me please that in my weakness Your strength might be perfectly evidence, and Your word might go forth today to accomplish all Your good and perfect will. I ask it for the sake of Your glory, In the name of Jesus. Amen.             It has been rightly said that it is not wrong to mourn. Indeed, in Matthew 5 our Lord says those who mourn are blessed for they will be comforted. We mourn death because it is unnatural. It discomforts us bec...
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The awful easy life

  Behold, these are the wicked;   always at ease, they increase in riches. Psalm 73:12 ESV             Are we not like Asaph in danger of stumbling over our envy of the ungodly? We see them today much as they were perceived then, and there’s a good reason for it. A troubled person seeks an end to their troubles, but a person who is at ease tends to stay at ease. Prosperity is the prison of the unrighteous keeping them locked away from the salvation found only in Christ. What would they need saving from? Conversely pain, even the pains confusions and doubt, drive us towards God.             We live too much by sensation thinking our perception of pleasure is the call of God, and pain is the devil’s prod. We think temporal prosperity is the sign of God’s favor, and poverty His curse. None of these notions’ longs survive under biblical scrutiny. We must let go our f...
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