"All of life is business with God…" John Calvin
Three whole weeks ago, on Friday, March 13, 2020, we officially began our homebound exile from society. At first it was self-imposed, as my husband discovered that he had a fever (it was just a cold—he’s fine). On that day the alarms increased hourly in the news, and the need to isolate ourselves became as … Continue reading Poverty in Prayer
Originally posted March 19, 2020, at Women of Purpose. There’s no good place to break Romans 8:31–39, really. My last post only covered the questions that Paul was asking as he built to his magnificent conclusion. If this entire passage is, as James Boice declares, “the Everest of the letter, and thus the highest peak … Continue reading Romans 8:35-39, More Than Conquerors
“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet … Continue reading Remembrance and Hope
Dear Lisa, Well, it’s been a year since I learned that you’d gone. I thought today would be worse than it is. But now that I think about it, the sadness doesn’t hurt the same way it used to. It’s there, but it no longer chokes off my breath. The weight remains, but it no … Continue reading Well, It’s Been a Year. . .
Originally posted March 18, 2020, at Women of Purpose. The recent weeks have been so fully-packed that I haven’t been able to get this final post written to wrap-up our study of Romans chapter 8. But now that I am self-isolating, and many of the things that occupied my time are now cancelled, I figure … Continue reading Romans 8:31-34, Who Can Be Against Us?
Originally posted March 3, 2020, at Women of Purpose. We now come in our study to what is probably the most well-known and readily-quoted verse in Romans chapter 8: “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (28). This … Continue reading Romans 8:28-30, All Things For Our Good
Today the county in which I live issued an order to our local citizens to “Stay Home, Work Safe.” This means that we are to shelter-in-place, effective at midnight tonight. The phrase “shelter-in-place” carries an undertone of fear. There is something out there which is to be feared. Danger is lurking. Take cover. Find shelter. … Continue reading Refuge
Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. —Psalm 5:1–2 “Would you please pray for me?” I’m sure you’ve not only received this request, but you’ve asked it yourself. Requests for prayer are not … Continue reading Let Us Pray
Originally posted February 18, 2020, at Women of Purpose. The passage we studied last week, Romans 8:18-27, opens with a verse that always tugs at my heart, and often brings me to tears. Building on his previous thought, that we suffer with Christ in order to be glorified with him, Paul declares “For I consider … Continue reading Romans 8:18-27, Suffering and Glory
