Saturday, May 28, 2011

Please Help Us Find Our Friend

I have since removed the donation widget, since the search is over and he has been found safe. Please continue to pray.


(dear brother in Christ who has been missing since Tuesday)


Hundreds of friends have scoured the DC metro area; handing out flyers and searching for his car. I have personally been overwhelmed by the love that our church members and others have shown in persevering in the search. I praise God that He has knitted our church body with so many people who have the wisdom, discernment - and even specific skills - with organizing the search. I praise the God who ordained these past few days is the very same God who called Matt to Himself. Who holds Matt even now in the palm of His hand and will never let Him go. I pray that Jesus Christ our Savior be glorified throughout this situation.



Psalm 138

1 I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, LORD,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.

6 Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The LORD will vindicate me;
your love, LORD, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.

(This psalm will be preached tomorrow at our church)

Saturday, May 7, 2011

All-weather faith

“The cross is practical, it is God moving in love to meet violent men and women, facing violence and suffering for us. Your faith was born in violence. The Christian is not scared when the whole world is shaking. Your faith was born on Calvary. It can stand anything. It is an all-weather faith.

Don’t imagine you can only be a Christian when everything is smooth. Christians shine better when everything is just the opposite. Your faith was born in blood and sweat in the loneliness of Calvary. You can stand any test.”

Bishop Festo Kivengere, When God Moves in Revival (Wheaton, 1973), page 16.

Via Ray Ortland, The Gospel Coalition

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Talk About a Royal Wedding!

Psalm 45

Your Throne, O God, Is Forever

To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah; a love song.


1My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;

I address my verses to the king;

my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.


2You are the most handsome of the sons of men;

grace is poured upon your lips;

therefore God has blessed you forever.


3Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,

in your splendor and majesty!


4In your majesty ride out victoriously

for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;

let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!


5Your arrows are sharp

in the heart of the king’s enemies;

the peoples fall under you.


6Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.

The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;


7you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;


8your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.

From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad;


9daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor;

at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.


10Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:

forget your people and your father’s house,


11and the king will desire your beauty.

Since he is your lord, bow to him.


12The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,

the richest of the people.


13All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.


14In many-colored robes she is led to the king,

with her virgin companions following behind her.


15With joy and gladness they are led along

as they enter the palace of the king.


16In place of your fathers shall be your sons;

you will make them princes in all the earth.


17I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;

therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.