Hope As A Character Trait (Roberts)

This is one of those books that I've underlined or highlighted parts of almost every page: Spiritual Emotions: A Psychology of Christian Virtues. It's a discussion of how Christian ethics and emotions overlap and relate. I'll come back to the book again, no doubt. For now, here's a nice note on Christian hope - it's…

Music Monday: All Thou Art Is Mine (Toplady)

On this edition of Music Monday, I want to share Augustus Toplady's hymn called "Divine Aid." I didn't have time this morning to find a tune that fits - although I'm sure they're out there. Anyway, here's the wonderful hymn. May it give you Christian comfort and hope today! 1 The power of hell, the…

Mercy Tree (Sturm)

For Music Monday today, I wanted to point out a song that's been a blessing to me for my Christian walk: "Mercy Tree." I'm familiar with Lacey Sturm's rendition of it on the album "My Hope". This song is a brief and straightforward proclamation of Christ's death and resurrection - and the hope we have…

No More Tears, No More Reproach (Smith)

 I've been enjoying Gary Smith's Isaiah commentary in the "New American Commentary" series.  I haven't read it all, but so far so good!  This morning when studying Isaiah 25 I was looking at verse 8, which says this: "...he [Yahweh] will swallow up death forever.The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces;he will…

Light, Peace, Hope, and a King! (Smith)

  After studying and working through Isaiah 9:2-7, I appreciate how Gary Smith summarizes these verses in the "theological implications" section of his commentary.  FYI these verses in Isaiah 9 talk about a "shadow-of-death" kind of darkness that God shines his light into, which brings joy, victory, and peace.  This prophecy also speaks about a…