Quiet Miracles
When Jesus performed miracles during his time on earth many people were present who did not know that a miracle had taken place. Think of his first miraculous sign in which he turned water into wine (John 2). There were many present for the wedding but only a few knew what had happened. The disciples…
Continue readingThe Risk of Prayer
I read an interesting paragraph in an Annie Dillard book. I admire those eighteenth century Hasids who understood the risk of prayer. Rabbi Uri of Strelisk took sorrowful leave of his household every morning because he was setting off to his prayers. He told his family how to dispose of his manuscripts if praying should…
Continue readingThe Thankfulness of “Why Me?”
My friend Phil Reinders at Squinch reminded me of a great statement by G.K. Chesterton: “Here ends another day, during which I have had eyes, ears, hands and the great world around me. Tomorrow begins another day. Why am I allowed two?” Phil’s blog reminds us that we must ask the “Why me?” question in…
Continue readingPrayer Changes Things Follow-Up
Many years ago I read a small book by Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho, pastor of the largest Christian Church in the world.1 Cho is a man who has devoted his life to prayer and has gone to great extremes to develop his prayer life. The book has had a large impact on me such that…
Continue readingPrayer Changes Things
I have an uneasy relationship with this quote by E. Stanley Jones: Prayer is surrender; surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself…
Continue readingPacing The Cage
(Bruce Cockburn – 24 June 1995. Philadelphia.) (Watch him perform this song here.) Sunset is an angel weeping Holding out a bloody sword No matter how I squint I cannot Make out what it’s pointing toward Sometimes you feel like you live too long Days drip slowly on the page You catch yourself Pacing the…
Continue readingSome stories are worth telling again!
I know that God is good and that He is involved in my life. I also need constant reminders that He is good and that He is involved in my life. Spring of 2007 was one time where we saw God at work in answering the prayers of His people. Around the middle of March…
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