Rock of Ages

In the great majority of films depicting church services of the past one or two hundred years, I have noticed that the song of choice is usually “Rock of Ages.” It has a decidedly old-fashion sound to it, seems to communicate some nostalgic irrelevancy, and I suspect you seldom hear it in contemporary churches.

However, the idea of God being our rock is a biblical message particularly found in the Psalms. There are many references like this one:

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

Feeling a Bit Overwhelmed?

Today I am reposting an article from a number of years ago. It received a lot of comment at the time. It resonated with me this morning and I thought, "I need this."

Some time ago a person seeking help shared with me feelings he routinely has when under stress. As needs pile up, he usually feels overwhelmed and almost paralyzed by thoughts that there is no way he can handle all that is on his plate. He is a hard-working, industrious person who cares for a lot of people, but inside, in those moments, there is a strong desire to run away and avoid the pressure.

Finish Line Faith

For many years Randy McKean advocated for a publishing ministry I led in Boston. I will always appreciate his support. Now he has written his own inspiring book titled Radical Faith.

One of his chapters is on “Finish Line Faith” and he points out that biblical faith is faith that finishes. Of course, we must have beginnings and often we only have beginnings because of faith. It takes faith to launch into new waters.

Control Tower

My long-time friend Gordon Ferguson has just released a new edition of his book, The Power of Spiritual Thinking, in which he has an added several new chapters. One of those deals with “doubting your doubts,” and in it I was struck by this quote:

A Political or an Apolitical Move

Two weeks ago I wrote these lines :

“Here is my thinking: The Kingdom of God changes the way we think about everything or at least it should. It should change the way I think about my multiple sclerosis, my possessions, my relationships, my anxieties, my citizenship, and my enemies. The list goes on and on.”

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to practice my own words.   I listened to a radio news report on how the presidential campaign in the United States is getting cranked up (for an election that is still 16 months away!). 

Attitude Shirts and the Kingdom Life

You have seen them around. Sometimes they are called “attitude shirts.” They openly broadcast to the world what not everybody verbalizes but what an awful lot of people have going on inside them. Search Google or Bing Images or sample a few of these:

For They Will See God

 Recently, I have found my thinking evolving about one of Jesus’ Beatitudes, his Kingdom Attitudes. And it is this one: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

I think many of us read that and think, “they will see God…some day...in heaven”  Years ago I thought that. And then my study of the Beatitudes convinced me they are all about the kingdom coming now.  And then, I think a lot of us just don’t really think about what “see God” means. We just hear the beatitude as an encouragement to keep our hearts pure or to let God keep purifying our hearts.