Preparing for the Lord's Day Our Psalm for this week holds a special place in the life and history of Rivermont Presbyterian Church. As many of you know Psalm 121 is painted on the wall panel adjacent to the pulpit. The dedication inscription says, "In Loving Memory of Graham and Lena Gilmer who served this congregation from 1923-1953. Given by their children and grandchi...

Preparing for the Lord's Day Dick Thomson was my first pastoral visit in ordained ministry. I had recently received a call to pastor a church in Gaffney, South Carolina and it was my goal to meet all the members, face to face, including the shut-ins. I really did not know what to expect when I arrived at Mr. Thomson's apartment in the Eden Terrace nursing facility. I was ...

Preparing for the Lord's Day Our Psalm for this Sunday invites us to ask the question, "What is the nature of a blessed life?" Our culture presents us with a variety of different answers to the question of what constitutes a well lived or happy life. There is the take life by the horns approach. This says that the blessed life is one that is filled with adventure and risk...

Preparing for the Lord's Day James 4:6 tells us that, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." It is a theme that runs throughout God's word, those who trust in man fall but those who trust in the Lord are raised up. The men who built up the tower of Babel were cast down in humility (Gen 11:8). Yet when Joseph was unjustly casted down into prison the Lord ra...

Preparing for the Lord's Day It took twenty-five years for the Lord to fulfill His promise to Abraham. As a seventy-five year-old man, the Lord promised to make him a father and I am sure Abraham thought that it would be soon. Yet, year after year the promise did not come to pass. His wife Sarah remained barren and the hope of a child was tested. The Lord was gracious to ...

Preparing for the Lord's Day Is the world an open or a closed system? Is material existence the only reality or are there unseen spiritual forces at work in this world that have true effects on nature, history, and humanity? In the premodern world it was very difficult to conceive of a closed existence. Spiritual realities played a central role in everything from family l...

Preparing for the Lord's Day "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity" (Psalm 133:1)! Thinking of the blessings of peace and fellowship, we are bound together in life through innumerable ways. We often enjoy ties of relationship or friendship, common tastes, personal likings, and occupation. At times, we come together to live above the world and ...

Preparing for the Lord's Day:The Everlasting Kingdom of Jesus Christ With unsurpassed poetry, the Psalms guide us through the full range of human experience. With various themes as thanksgiving, praise, enthronement, pilgrimage, lament, and wisdom, the Psalms consistently point us to Christ in worship and praise! This Sunday, we continue our Journey through the Psalms for...

Preparing for the Lord's Day We live in a world that is all about strength and that tries to extend our days on this earth as long as possible. Yet Scripture, as usual, paints a different picture of humanity and we are told that we are dusty people. We are just a chronic disease, a tragic accident, or an injury away from being reminded of the reality of our frailty. The b...

Preparing for the Lord's Day When we are in a place of need we tend to grasp for anything in which to trust. This week I heard a public service announcement warning people about debt consolidation schemes. While there are legitimate debt consolidators, there are also many who see an opportunity to take advantage of those in need. A promise that all your financial struggle...