Higher Than This

This is the Hubble Extreme Deep Field, the deepest image of the universe ever taken in visible light. The farthest galaxy in this picture is over 13 billion light-years away (HT: APOD).

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him..." Psalm 103:11

Run For The Closet

Were men but once acquainted with that relief and cheerfulness of spirit, which a good conscience and a spiritual address to God in prayer afford in the midst of troubles, they would run to their closets, rather than to taverns and ale-houses, to divert and cure their troubles.

 - Flavel, The Reasonableness of Personal Reformation, 508 

Taverns and ale-houses. Malls and Amazon.coms. ESPNs and reality shows. Funny websites and social media. You name it. It is strange how we neglect very good things for often very empty things which cannot cure our troubles. Sin not only makes us stupid - it makes us forgetful. 

What a place is this!

Thus far did I come laden with my sin;
Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in
Till I came hither: What a place is this!
Must here be the beginning of my bliss?
Must here the burden fall from off my back?
Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?
Blest Cross! blest Sepulchre! blest rather be
The Man that there was put to shame for me.

- John Bunyan as quoted in F. Leahy, The Cross He Bore, p. 73

Luther's If-Then

Luther:

"He died for me; he made his righteousness mine and made my sin his own; and if he made my sin his own, then I do not have it, and I am free."

- Quoted in "The Cross He Bore", Frederick S. Leahy, p. 42

Garments To Clothe Your Shame

Election Night Prayer

Father in heaven, as the USA votes tomorrow, I pray

that all of your people would vote,

that You would move your people to participate in choosing the authorities you have established (Rom. 13:1),

that You would open our eyes to the blessings we so easily overlook in a democratic system which approves good and punishes evil, albeit imperfectly, for You have established all authorities in perfect wisdom;

that evil acts which are now approved and legal may be rejected and punished,

that you would give your people further courage to lead in government positions and be lights in dark places,

that all peoples and rulers may bow the knee and kiss the Son in loving worship (Ps. 2),

and that your people would serve, honor, and treasure the King of kings, Jesus Christ, far above any temporary, much less than dust, easily forgettable government administration.

Grow in your people's hearts an ever-increasing affection and passion for the gospel of Christ even as the love of many grows cold and send us out with loud heralding as Jesus builds His Kingdom, which is forever and ever, amen.