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The book of Hebrews lets us know that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. And that very fact should spur us on to greater faith and perseverance. What can be learned from those who ran well? How much time do you have?
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?
Speaking Of Saints....
October 8, 2008
God's saints are shining lights
Who stays here long must pass o're dark hills,
Swift streams, and steep ways as smooth as glass
But these (that is, God's saints) all night like candles, Shed their beams and light us unto bed
Henry Vaughn (1621-1695)
Kenneth MacRae was a Scottish preacher who toiled for the Lord in the first half of the 20th century, and much of his ministry was itenerate. Upon his death, his wife handed over boxes of diaries he had kept from his years of ministry, which Iain Murray edited it down to one volume - one very wonderfully inspiring volume!
The "peek" we get into the man's heart is so helpful, for humility is evident on every page. For instance, MacRae in one entry titles it Self-Examination....
(1) Worldliness (2) Lack of care over tongue (3) Faithlessness - omitted to say something for my Master in saying 'Good-bye' to Annie and May Carsewell who leave for Glasgow on Saturday (4) Pride in measuring myself with others and in listening critically to a man's prayer instead of helping him in it.
In reflecting on sermon prep, he is concerned that "sermon-making may become a wilderness to me and that in providing for the souls of others I may have no time to bethink me of my own poor, starved soul."
MacRae, whose life has now impacted me, was inspired by the Life of Dr. Moody Stuart. "How thankful I am that He (God) has given me another drink in the wilderness and that He has put this helpful book into my hands!" And in the same spirit I say "Amen!" for being led to the life of Kenneth MacRae!
MacRae had a gift with words, and his description of a sunset moves me every time I read it. Enjoy.
"In afternoon walked across to Staffin through the hill. The day was perfect and the scene, looking back from near the top of the Bealach in the light of the dying day, was perhaps the most exquisite ever I have looked upon."
"The sky was bright, almost flashing, with cloudlets of brilliant hues, the mountains black, sharply outlines against the sky, and the moor before me shadowy with the gloom of coming night."
"As I stood there, not a soul broke the stillness, not a bird cried, not a breath of wind ruffled through the silence. Nature herself seemed to be holding her breath at the beauty of the sight."
"I wished that by some means I might have been able to take away a reproduction of the picture to show it to the world, but I had to leave it behind me in the loneliness of the wilderness until night came and blotted it out."
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Who stays here long must pass o're dark hills,
Swift streams, and steep ways as smooth as glass
But these (that is, God's saints) all night like candles, Shed their beams and light us unto bed
Henry Vaughn (1621-1695)
Kenneth MacRae was a Scottish preacher who toiled for the Lord in the first half of the 20th century, and much of his ministry was itenerate. Upon his death, his wife handed over boxes of diaries he had kept from his years of ministry, which Iain Murray edited it down to one volume - one very wonderfully inspiring volume!
The "peek" we get into the man's heart is so helpful, for humility is evident on every page. For instance, MacRae in one entry titles it Self-Examination....
(1) Worldliness (2) Lack of care over tongue (3) Faithlessness - omitted to say something for my Master in saying 'Good-bye' to Annie and May Carsewell who leave for Glasgow on Saturday (4) Pride in measuring myself with others and in listening critically to a man's prayer instead of helping him in it.
In reflecting on sermon prep, he is concerned that "sermon-making may become a wilderness to me and that in providing for the souls of others I may have no time to bethink me of my own poor, starved soul."
MacRae, whose life has now impacted me, was inspired by the Life of Dr. Moody Stuart. "How thankful I am that He (God) has given me another drink in the wilderness and that He has put this helpful book into my hands!" And in the same spirit I say "Amen!" for being led to the life of Kenneth MacRae!
MacRae had a gift with words, and his description of a sunset moves me every time I read it. Enjoy.
"In afternoon walked across to Staffin through the hill. The day was perfect and the scene, looking back from near the top of the Bealach in the light of the dying day, was perhaps the most exquisite ever I have looked upon."
"The sky was bright, almost flashing, with cloudlets of brilliant hues, the mountains black, sharply outlines against the sky, and the moor before me shadowy with the gloom of coming night."
"As I stood there, not a soul broke the stillness, not a bird cried, not a breath of wind ruffled through the silence. Nature herself seemed to be holding her breath at the beauty of the sight."
"I wished that by some means I might have been able to take away a reproduction of the picture to show it to the world, but I had to leave it behind me in the loneliness of the wilderness until night came and blotted it out."
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Apostles’ glorious company,
Who bearing forth the Cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
Is fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
