How joyful is the onewhose transgression is forgiven,whose sin is covered!How joyful is a person whomthe Lord does not charge with iniquityand in whose spirit is no deceit!When I kept silent, my bones became brittlefrom my groaning all day long.For day and night your hand was heavy on me;my strength was drained[a]as in the summer’s …
Continue reading Prayer #8: Sin, Confession, and the Joy of Forgiveness
Below is a revised version of my sermon from this past Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent. Years ago a friend of mine—who is typically not the most emotionally expressive—said this: “I party on the inside.” I think it’s safe to say that a lot of us who are Christians party on the inside. That …
Written in 1744 by Charles Wesley, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” is easily one of my favourite Christmas hymns. In fact, it’s been the first hymn in the order of worship for the first Sunday of Advent pretty much every year I’ve been a pastor. The best Christmas hymns are a combination of hope and …
Below is a reflection from Rev. Gerald E. Murray on the Advent theme of joy. It’s from a longer article from First Things you can find here. “The search for joy in life is a frustrating experience for those who do not seek that joy in the Lord. Entertainment is a commonly sought substitute for …
Her children rise up and call her blessed;her husband also praises her:“Many women have done noble deeds,but you surpass them all!”Proverbs 31:28-29 Tomorrow is Mother's Day. And for many Mother's Day gives rise to a mix of emotions. One emotion is sadness. Because some of us mourn the loss of our mothers. My Mom passed …
grace notes 