13.12.06

The Psalms (4): Honest to God

Posted in The Psalms at 10:43 pm by dowboy

Read: Psalm 13:1-6
Frederick Douglass was born in 1818 in the American state of Maryland. Born the illegitimate son of a black slave woman and her white plantation master, Douglass was raised in slavery. In 1838 Douglass escaped from slavery and in later years became one of America’s most prominent abolitionists. In 1845 he wrote his first autobiography, a book which has become an American literary classic named, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave.” More than any other man, Douglass gives us access into the day to day lives of American slaves. In reading Douglass’s book a couple of years ago, I read a section which changed the way I think about Christian praise, and in particular, why it is that over half the Psalms are given over to mournful laments. Listen to the quote and you’ll understand too: Read the rest of this entry »

Prayer in the Shorter Catechism (5): With Confession of Our Sins

Posted in Shorter Catechism on Prayer at 10:41 pm by dowboy

Read: Psalm 51:1-19
To get a politician to say sorry, is like trying to get a chicken to fly. Sorry is the hardest word. If we find it hard to say sorry to other people, do we find it hard to say sorry to God? How do we say sorry to God for all the ways in which we sin against Him? In A. 98 of the Shorter Catechism we are told that it is through prayer, and particularly prayer ‘with confession of our sins’. Confession of sin – saying sorry to God – is a vital part of prayer. I want to ask three questions tonight about the link between prayer and the confession of our sins to God. Read the rest of this entry »