“How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?” Psalm 79:5. As the psalmist looks out upon the rubble of his life—perhaps the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC—he expresses the same concerns as the singers of Psalm 137 when taunted by their captors to “sing us one of...

Your sins will find you out. So says the Word, as a matter of fact. Feel not the smallest doubt: God’s justice is sure, his knowledge exact. First line comes from Numbers 32.23, Moises speaking to the men of Gad and Reuben.

Come near, O God, and flood my heart, Your Spirit in my soul; My others see in me the Lord, Your glory the greater goal. The morning sun in splendor grows Arising through the skies; In me the grace of kindness flows To illumine darkened eyes. The purest light of Calvary shines And washes spirits clean; Your holy...

“Love me,” cries the introvert, “But keep your distance!” From others’ gaze his eyes avert With feared insistence.

Night has fallen, coolness seeping. The head is heavy, with weakened limbs. A final prayer midst fainting hymns. All is still. Humans sleeping.

I like the Oxford Bible Commentary in many ways. But the author of the commentary on Mark can't stop telling the reader how confused and wrong the gospel is. Time to find another one as I read through the gospel. NBC21 is pretty good. And TGC, online. Let's see, what's on the shelf behind me ... Bible commentaries...

“So now, what are you waiting for? Get up and be immersed [into Christ], and have your sins washed away as you appeal to His name [i.e., to Christ's authority].” Acts 22.16 AUV. This is an extended translation, maybe bleeding into paraphrase, and a fine job of it.

Help us find ourselves in your will, O God. Help us lose ourselves in your love, O Father. Help us plant ourselves in your truth, O Light. Help us busy ourselves in your harvest, O Lord.

YEAR 40 | 2024-10-01 | SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS (SP) BRAZIL Over 30 people came to hear teaching for couples, called “From Inside to inside,” Sept. 28 in the congregation Jardim Presidente Dutra, in the city of Guarulhos. We left home at 3.30 pm, and returned around 9.30 the same night. The reception was very kind. In...

The second hand is sweeping ’round the clock. It mocks the man who strives to make it stop; Who deems that time is money ─ not enough hours In a day; who vainly seeks to increase his powers. And still the falling finger moves ahead, Uncaring, wilting petals from the flowers, Ever reaching to cut the living thread.

Great God and Father in Heaven, Show us the way today as we read the Word and seek to apply it to our moments and challenges. Help us to do our work with gratitude, zeal, and excellence. Glorify yourself in us that others might see your fullness. Move us toward maturity in Christ; give us wisdom to navigate this...

Notes float on the breeze Music wafting from unknown An enchanting tune