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Getting out of bed in the morning can be difficult. And making the time to be with God before the day demands our full attention is a challenge many of us struggle with. But the dividends are immeasurable.
Recent Entries
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Rise And Shine!
February 4, 2009
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
Francis Quarles (1592-1644) was a poet and thinker and wordsmith. Much of his work was inspired directly by the Bibie, and even when he mused on life and politics, his advice was laced with Biblical wisdom. The following piece gives us a hint of his daily devotional habit.
Cleanse thy morning soul with private and due devotions;
Till then, admit no business.
The firstborn of thy thoughts are God's and not thine, but by sacrilege.
Think thyself not ready till thou hast praised him,
And he will always be ready to bless thee.
Another English poet, Henry Vaughn, wrote something similar....
Give him thy first thought,
Then, so shalt thou
Keep him in company all day,
And in him sleep.
He also saw a lesson in manna, and how the early morning was the time for collection of that God sent food....
The manna was not good after sun-rising -
Far-day sullies flowers (they wilt)
Rise to prevent the sun
Sleep doth sins glut
And heaven's gate opens
When this world's is shut.
Robert Murray McCheyne the Scottish pastor, said "a calm hour with God is worth a whole lifetime with man." Only a person who had tasted of what it is like to be alone with God could make such a statement. And sweet times like that are difficult to have in the middle of a busy day.
Finally, Amy Charmichael's mother had the following poem written in her Bible, illustrating the same perspective....
I must wait betimes at his gate
E're the hush of down be broken
E're the hurry of life begin
And the calm of the morn depart
Some word for me alone
In the quietness may be spoken
Which all through the live-long day
I shall carry deep in my heart.
Eternity will tell how the prayers of that mother - before the hush of dawn was broken - ended up shaping the lives of little boys and girls in India through the life of her daughter Amy.
Francis Quarles (1592-1644) was a poet and thinker and wordsmith. Much of his work was inspired directly by the Bibie, and even when he mused on life and politics, his advice was laced with Biblical wisdom. The following piece gives us a hint of his daily devotional habit.
Cleanse thy morning soul with private and due devotions;
Till then, admit no business.
The firstborn of thy thoughts are God's and not thine, but by sacrilege.
Think thyself not ready till thou hast praised him,
And he will always be ready to bless thee.
Another English poet, Henry Vaughn, wrote something similar....
Give him thy first thought,
Then, so shalt thou
Keep him in company all day,
And in him sleep.
He also saw a lesson in manna, and how the early morning was the time for collection of that God sent food....
The manna was not good after sun-rising -
Far-day sullies flowers (they wilt)
Rise to prevent the sun
Sleep doth sins glut
And heaven's gate opens
When this world's is shut.
Robert Murray McCheyne the Scottish pastor, said "a calm hour with God is worth a whole lifetime with man." Only a person who had tasted of what it is like to be alone with God could make such a statement. And sweet times like that are difficult to have in the middle of a busy day.
Finally, Amy Charmichael's mother had the following poem written in her Bible, illustrating the same perspective....
I must wait betimes at his gate
E're the hush of down be broken
E're the hurry of life begin
And the calm of the morn depart
Some word for me alone
In the quietness may be spoken
Which all through the live-long day
I shall carry deep in my heart.
Eternity will tell how the prayers of that mother - before the hush of dawn was broken - ended up shaping the lives of little boys and girls in India through the life of her daughter Amy.
