Bob's sermon from yesterday (6/26/11) was a wonderful and powerful reminder of the efficacy of prayer. Today I read this quote from Augustine in Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion: God orders what we cannot do, that we may know what we ought to ask of him. There is a great utility in precepts [commands], if all … Continue reading What to Pray For
quotes
Calvin on the Secret Counsels of God
Last night some monstrous storms rocked Bloomington. Jake knows enough to be scared of storms like that - he heard about Joplin. Luke, trying to comfort his older brother, was singing "Jesus Loves Me." Last night we saw the news and saw how bad some parts of Bloomington were hit. By God's mercy, nothing compared … Continue reading Calvin on the Secret Counsels of God
Sanctity of Human Life
This week I was leading a discussion for the college students on 'the big story' of the Bible. We started, of course, with creation (after a brief prologue on the eternal community of the Trinune God). I am reminded almost daily how important Genesis 1-3 are for us as believers. There is so much explanatory … Continue reading Sanctity of Human Life
Calvin the Uncertain Theologian
I'm only 150 pages into Calvin's Institutes. Yes, I'm a slow reader and I'm reading like six books at the same time. Anyway, one of the first impressions I have regarding the Institutes and its author is his humility. I'm impressed with how many times Calvin simply says 'I don't know', or words to that effect. This … Continue reading Calvin the Uncertain Theologian
>The Silmarillion
>"Then Iluvatar arose, and the Ainur perceived that he smiled; and he lifted up his left hand, and a new theme began amid the storm, like and yet unlike to the former theme, and it gather power and had new beauty. But the discord of Melkor rose in uproar and contended with it, and again … Continue reading >The Silmarillion
God Entranced 