In the third verse of the classic hymn, “Rock of Ages,” written by Augustus Toplady, the eternal expectation of the Christian is wonderfully described. This verse expresses a heart of hope that overcomes the fear of death and looks singly to the glory that awaits us. While I draw this fleeting breath, When my eyes […]
Twentieth-century Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, wrote a small book entitled Contemplative Prayer for his fellow monks at the Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky. In this volume Merton writes the following warning against trying to find some “magical method” or formula that alone will make contemplative prayer and meditation effective. Faith, according to Merton, and not our […]
In Foster’s modern translation of an excerpt from François Fénelon’s Christian Perfection we hear the author’s thoughts on the folly of not whole-heartedly releasing ourselves to the will of God. Here Fénelon teaches that we withhold our complete surrender at the cost of, among other things, our own happiness and comfort. What folly to fear […]
Of all the hymns of Charles Wesley, none speak to my own motivations and desires as does “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing.” Like David, who regularly spoke of praising God “in the great assembly”, this hymn reminds me of the inadequacy of my single voice to worship our Lord as he deserves. We […]
In his poem, The Gift Outright, Robert Frost writes of giving ourselves to the fulfillment of our destinies. Frost was specifically speaking of colonial Americans releasing their ties to England and not withholding themselves from their calling to the “New World.” Christians, however, can take these words to heart as another admonishment, as the apostle […]
Shakespeare writes, in his play, Hamlet, of how thorny the earthly life can seem. Here Hamlet, driven to suicidal thoughts by the death of his father and wearied by the pain and trials of the “mortal coil,” reflects on how useless and mundane his life appears to be. Tragic as the feeling of despair was […]