Read to Remember
Samuel Johnson said, “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.”
God Doesn’t Do Emergencies
This is a hard lesson for us to learn. We are naturally impatient, and we respond to crises by assuming that things must resolve quickly. We are discontent to wait on God’s timing. But when we are in a hurry, often God is not.
12 Modern Questions for Spiritual Self-Examination
John Fletcher of Madeley composed 12 questions for spiritual self-examination in the 18th century. I’ve published them previously, but today I’m republishing an updated and modernized version. 1) Did I fill my mind with spiritual thoughts and refrain from distractions…
God’s Rigorous Plan of Preparation
With you, the Christian, God treats you as royalty, and as heir to a throne. The royal child is given no choice in the matter: he must be royalty. And because he is royalty, he is among the most privileged…
The Psalms Project (Psalms 1-15)
The Psalms are musical. Many musicians have composed beautiful songs with the text or paraphrase of the Psalms, and we can all benefit from their creativity. I’ve started compiling a list of all the Psalms set to music – but…
Psalm of the Ancient Throne (Psalm 93)
(1) Jehovah reigns! His purple regal robeIs strength, establishing unmov’d the globe. (2) From ancient dawn his throne has stood secure;From everlasting, Lord, you still endure. (3) Unending waves in ceaseless, drenching praiseScatter their foam in misty sheets of haze….
A Summary of the Second Punic War
The Second Punic War, which was fought two hundred years before the birth of Christ (in the years 218-201 BC), was the equivalent of the Second World War for the ancient world.
Lessons from Stonewall Jackson
After reading the life of Thomas ‘Stonewall’ Jackson last year, in the exceptional book by S. C. Gwynne, I’ve been reflecting on Jackson and the lessons that we can learn from his personal life. (1) Jackson was always ready. Many…
Why We Feel Disconnected from History
When I was a child, I remember how I felt disconnected from history. Even then, I loved the subject: I was fascinated by ancient times and faraway places. Still, I couldn’t get past the feeling that I was disconnected from…
Three Defining Elements of Ancient Hebrew Faith
This short excerpt, from “Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions” does a good job of summarizing the most defining elements of Old Testament faith – and what separated it from the religions of surrounding peoples. (1) The Israelites worshipped a…
