"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (James 5:16, ESV).
Harvesting joy, Psalm 126
Harold Camping has nothing on true believers. He may attempt to predict the future, but we have seen the future. And our future is joy. In Psalm 126, God grants us a glimpse of the future by first reminding us of his goodness in the past. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like … Continue reading Harvesting joy, Psalm 126
Surrounded with peace, Psalm 125
Are you surrounded by stress? Do attacks press on every side? Psalm 125 affirms that you are surrounded, but what surrounds you is the peace of God. Few natural features appear as immovable as the solid rock of a mountain. Pilgrims making their way up to the temple lifted their eyes to see Mount Zion rising … Continue reading Surrounded with peace, Psalm 125
We have escaped, Psalm 124
Psalm 123 reminded us of our total dependence on God, who reigns from heaven and will pour out his mercies upon us in his perfect timing. We identified with the psalmist, whose soul had experienced "more than enough" contempt from the proud. We saw God's promise that he will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability … Continue reading We have escaped, Psalm 124
Merciful heavens, Psalm 123
In Psalm 123, the psalmist lifts his eyes and a heartfelt cry to the heavens. These four short verses are packed with emotional power. The first two verses convey an image of total dependence upon God as believers pray corporately for mercy. To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in … Continue reading Merciful heavens, Psalm 123
PCA General Assembly, Part 1
It seems awkward to post this article, which previews the PCA General Assembly, after the GA has already taken place and while I'm writing another article about the event. But out of consideration for Christian Renewal, I generally wait until my articles appear in print before posting them here. I've been holding off on posting … Continue reading PCA General Assembly, Part 1
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Psalm 122
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," writes David in Psalm 122. "May they be secure who love you!" The phrase "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" used to make me think vaguely of Zionist desires for the restoration of Israel, but that was before I heard Rev. Mark Vander Hart's sermon "Pray from Love for … Continue reading Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Psalm 122
First URCNA pastors’ conference held
What began with a couple of men brainstorming at Synod 2010 came to fruition less than a year later in a 2011 URCNA pastors’ conference. During informal conversation at Synod last July, Rev. Harry Zekveld and Rev. Harold Miller discussed the idea of a conference for URCNA pastors. That idea became the “Serving the Lord with … Continue reading First URCNA pastors’ conference held
I lift my eyes, Psalm 121
During the last few years, our church choir has twice sung in worship my all-time favorite song, Psalm 121. You can (and should!) listen to a marvelous audio recording of the song here. I love the song for its biblical truth and beauty. My help, indeed, comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. The … Continue reading I lift my eyes, Psalm 121
Parkland South organizes, calls pastor
Parkland South, a daughter church of Parkland Reformed Church in Ponoka, AB, has officially organized with eight officebearers and has called a pastor. The members of Parkland South met on April 21, under the supervision of elders from Parkland Reformed Church, to elect five elders and three deacons. They also voted to extend a call … Continue reading Parkland South organizes, calls pastor
Glenda Faye Mathes 