"All of life is business with God…" John Calvin
I work at an RV Resort in the Hill Country of Central Texas, and on the morning of July 4th, unlike most days, I brought my raincoat to work. Our resort is located 100 miles from the stretch of the Guadalupe River that runs through Kerr County, and Canyon Lake with its dam lies between … Continue reading When Sorrow Like a Flash Flood Rises
One of the joys of church membership is seeing the children of our congregation being brought by their parents for baptism. As a covenant community, we delight to participate in the responsibilities of nurturing these precious young lives in the knowledge of the Lord. Being Presbyterians, children are usually baptized in the first weeks or … Continue reading Prayer For our Grandchildren (and children!)
I like to peruse my Facebook memories each day to see what was happening on “this day” for the past several years. Since March, I’ve been reminded that four years ago the Covid pandemic and subsequent quarantines were the main thing on my and everybody else’s mind. The most significant memory to surface is the … Continue reading Remember and Pray
The entire book of Habakkuk is the prophet’s prayer to God and God’s response. In fact, Habakkuk’s side of the conversation reads like the Psalms while the five woe oracles of God’s response in chapter two are more similar to proverbs. While still written as a psalm, the prayer that we find in chapter three … Continue reading Remember and Trust
In his second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln expressed his belief that the Civil War was the direct result of God’s providential justice, brought to bear against our nation in God’s appointed timing because of the offense of slavery. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs … Continue reading Woe To the Oppressors
Last week, Habakkuk faithfully wrestled with the Lord’s perplexing ways. He grounded himself in what he knew to be true—that God is all powerful, he is holy, he is faithful, he is just, and he is a steady refuge in time of storm. None of that squared with what God revealed he was planning. The … Continue reading The Righteous Shall Live By Faith
“Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9–10) Jesus taught us to pray that God’s will would be done here on earth. If we believe that God is sovereign, then we believe that everything that happens on earth is according to his divine will. … Continue reading Not a Blind Faith, but a Puzzled Faith
Last week we lamented with Habakkuk over the violence and destruction that was rampant in Judah, among the very people of God (Hab. 1:2–4). Why didn’t God do something to bring order and peace? How long would Habakkuk continue to cry out to the LORD and have his petition fall on seemingly deaf ears? This … Continue reading Wonder and be Astounded
Last week we began a study of the book of Habakkuk with the women of our church with an introduction by my co-teacher on the historical context in which Habakkuk lived and wrote. This week we covered the first four verses of Habakkuk. I’d like to share here the substance of our lesson for those … Continue reading O Lord, How Long?
Grateful 