Prayer mirrors the gospel. In the gospel, the Father takes us as we are because of Jesus and gives us his gift of salvation. In prayer, the Father receives us as we are because of Jesus and gives us his gift of help. We look at the inadequacy of our praying and give up, thinking something is wrong with us. God looks at the adequacy of his Son and delights in our sloppy, meandering prayers. - Paul Miller, A Praying Life
An individual man, with the Bible in his hand, and interpreting the Bible for himself, will, under the blessing of God, find in the private perusal of the inspired volume what will build up his own soul in spiritual wisdom and understanding. But the private perusal of the Word is not to be compared, as an instrument of influence and spiritual power, to the public preaching of the Word by the Church, as the ordinance of God appointed for that end.
James Bannerman, The Church of Christ, Vol I, p.255
This semester is a really busy one for me. I've graduated from my Bachelor of Theology, and am now studying for the Graduate Diploma in Theology. Which means all my subjects get ratcheted up a notch.
Stuff I'm doing:
That is all.
Expect a better post soon.
I wonder if we do right in our little Reformed world to make so much of the big personality with the big church. Why invite a man who pastors a congregation of two to ten thousand people to speak at a conference or write a book on church leadership? How much does such a one really know about leading a church, as opposed to merely being a good public speaker, winsome writer, or CEO? Does he know his people by name? Can he pray for them in an informed manner? Does he really understand what it means to die each day for those to whom he seeks to bring the gospel? Is he ever actually there when his people call to him for help, or is that the task of one of his underlings? Is he too busy listening to the questions and needs of those outside the church to have any real time to spend with those within his fellowship? And if Dave Bogstandard-Member calls him, with a pressing pastoral problem, will he cancel a TV gig or a book signing in order to to help him? If not, should we really set such up as the ideal to which those going in for the ministry should aspire?
An excellent article, well worth your time.
The great wisdom and security of the soul in dealing with indwelling sin is to put a violent stop unto its beginnings, its first motions and actings. Venture all on the first attempt. Die rather than yield one step unto it.
John Owen, The Nature And Power Of Indwelling Sin