Preparing for the Lord's Day How do you move from lament to praise? To lament is to give voice to your hardships and struggles. It is to call out in distress and frustration to the Lord. When we enter into periods of suffering it is only natural for us to lament all that we are enduring. Nevertheless, as God's people we are called to move from lament to praise, from distr...
Keep Reading Preparing for the Lord's Day It is every Pastor's worst nightmare. You come to preach your sermon and there is nobody in the sanctuary! Throughout my years as a pastor I have had such fearful dreams yet this week it came to pass. But in a way that I could never have foreseen. Last Saturday the Pastors and staff met together to decide if we would hold a public worship serv...
Keep Reading Preparing for the Lord's Day Psalm 23 begins with a powerful and meaningful confession of faith, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Guidance, provision, and protection of life are entrusted to the Lord God alone who cares for his people as a shepherd cares for his sheep. The title of shepherd was given not only to those who literally cared for sheep, but in the ...
Keep Reading Preparing for the Lord's Day As the father of five young children I have seen the following situation play-out in a variety of ways throughout the years. A young child has a birthday party. There is cake, ice cream, and decorations. There are fun activities and favors for all present. And, of course, there are gifts for the birthday boy or girl. Despite all of the fun, th...
Keep Reading Preparing for the Lord's Day It is common to express one's experience of guilt as being weighed down or burdened by the emotion. One might think that it is merely an expression, but research suggests that people who have feelings of guilt literally feel heavier. There is a true physical feeling of carrying a weight when one's conscience is sounding the alarm. To alleviate...
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