Welcome to the online home of Tim Challies, blogger, author, and book reviewer.
Trending Topics
#bible
#reading
#suffering
I have already shared a few of Kathleen Nielson’s prayers for children–young children and adult children. I wanted to share just one more, this one from her collection of prayers for parents of teenagers. After all, is there any time we pray for our children with more fervency than during their teenage years? This is a prayer for matters of first importance. May it give you words to pray for the child you love… O Lord, so many things I’d …
A couple of times now I’ve mentioned Kathleen Nielson’s new set of prayer books for parents. Through four short volumes she provides prayers for parents of young children, of teens, of young adults, and of adult children. I’ve already shared “A Parent’s Prayer for an Unbelieving Child” and “A Prayer for a Wanderer” from the books about parenting young adults and adult children, and this time thought I’d share “A Prayer for Obedience” from the book about parenting young children. …
There is a longing in all of us—or most of us at least—to rise above obscurity and to be known for our greatness. Even Christians can long to be among the great. This is the subject of this little excerpt from Matthew Redmond’s The God of the Mundane. There are two kinds of pastors, in the main: those who speak at conferences with green rooms* (I’m not kidding; they have green rooms—with spring water, I guess) and those who want …
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that I have become quite a fan of Kathleen Nielson’s new set of prayer books for parents. Through four short volumes she provides prayers for parents of young children, of teens, of young adults, and of adult children. Last time I shared “A Parent’s Prayer for an Unbelieving Child” from the book about parenting young adults and this time wanted to share “A Prayer for a Wanderer” from the book about parenting adult …
Sometimes it is good and helpful when others give us words to pray. Over the years, many have prayed the prayers of the Puritans through books like The Valley of Vision. This prayer, titled Self Depreciation is as good and helpful as any of them, for it gives words to universal experiences. My every sense, member, faculty, affection is a snare to me, I can scarce open my eyes but I envy those above me, or despise those below. I covet …
I have become quite a fan of Kathleen Nielson’s new set of prayer books for parents. Through four short volumes she provides prayers for parents of young children, of teens, of young adults, and of adult children. This prayer is from the volume dedicated to prayers for young adults and asks the Lord to save an unbelieving child. Break your light upon my child’s heart, O Lord who only said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. You sent …
As we rise today, then gather to worship, it is good to pray that all we do would be to the glory of God. Perhaps a prayer like this, drawn from the works of J.R. Miller, will orient your heart aright as you set out on another Lord’s Day. Jesus, who died for our sins, and rose again from the dead, we worship You on this Your day. You are the resurrection and the life. You brought life and immortality …
I have come to love and appreciate the poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I find that wherever I am at in life, he has a poem that speaks to it. And that’s the case today, on Father’s Day, as I think back to the years gone by. His poem “The Children’s Hour” is a celebration of his daughters and his love for them, and I think any father will be able to identify with it. Between the dark and the …
I always enjoy finding new prayer resources and, for that reason, was glad to receive a copy of Donald McKim’s new Everyday Prayer with the Puritans. It features prayers from the Puritans accompanied by devotions from McKim. Here is a prayer from Lewis Bayly that stood out to me. Perhaps it can help and guide you as you pray… O most gracious God and loving Father, who art about my bed and knowest my down-lying and my uprising, and art near …
Christopher Newman Hall was an English Nonconformist leader in the nineteenth century and one who dedicated much of his ministry to writing poetry and songs. I previously shared his poem “Thy Way Is Best” and today wanted to share another of his—a simple sonnet based on a verse from Psalm 126: “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Here is his poetic interpretation, his poetic encouragement: Weeping …