His Timeless Affection

’Knowledge of his timeless affection enables us to experience temporal discipline with peace. ’ Bryan Chapell

the christmas message

"We should be awed that such a majestic God, who could be so concerned about so many other things, would come to deal with us personally." Bryan Chapell

{Pict: our church manger scene}

I am now reading Tim Keller's most excellent book, The Prodigal God (click). It is the gospel for believers. He writes of not one prodigal son, but two prodigal sons. The rebel AND the moralist. I find myself as both, but sometimes more as the moralist. Keller writes, 'Jesus Christ, who had all the power in the world, saw us enslaved by the very things we thought would free us. So he emptied himself of his glory and became a servant (Philippians 2). He laid aside the infinities and immensities  of his being, purchasing us the only place our hearts can rest, in his Father's house.' The Lord might just use this book to bring revival to me and to His church.

”When the heart no longer feels the truth of hell, the gospel passes on from good news to just news. The intensity of the joy is blunted and the heart-spring of love is dried up.” John Piper

...that deep hidden place under God's wing...

"Nothing else in my life has been as baffling to me as not being able to conceive a child. My emotions hide even from myself, spilling out in tears at times of sadness or anger at the most inopportune times. There have been no days of real clarity, not time when a light has come on to show the way- not even a little. 

But the mysterious and marvelous mercy of God has convinced me of one thing in all this; it is dark because I am in that deep hidden place under God's wing... 

My heart cries out, 'Why, O God, will you not answer this prayer?'... When this happens, God in His time and in His various graceful ways, comes to me, to remind me that I am not alone.

He has given His best to me, His own beautiful, beloved child. Will he withhold any good thing from me? No, never. Is Jesus enough to make up this aching void in my soul? I do not always feel that it is so. But it is.  Jesus loves me... this I know."  Debbie Trickett

Always in Jeopardy

'We have been stripped of the delusion that this world can offer any satisfaction that is not always in jeopardy.' Bryan Chapell