Anyone out there trying to write a dissertation?

This encouragement might help you along.  If Calvin can do it, then ...

HT: Bill Watterson

Sunday's sermon: Acts 2

The spirit of St Louis

James Kim and yours truly (looking more like my dad every day, it seems!) in the foyer area of Covenant library.
James was a real and kind-hearted friend during my all too brief stay in St Louis:  chauffeur, room-mate, church consultant, an all-round "cool dude" from Southern California.  It was a real privilege to meet him and the other guys taking the module, every one of whom was a gem.  Excellent and stretching teaching, and rich and truly supportive fellowship throughout the week.
Thanks to all concerned... but it is good to be home!

Meet me in St Louis?

Retreat House, CTS

So, here we are back in St Louis, MO, for a few days, trying to catch up with my DMin studies at Covenant Theological Seminary.
It was a long day travelling, but arrived safely.  It's very strange not having the other members of Irish contingent here: my humour needs to be modified (something clearly gets lost in translation); no late nights - I imagine (probably for the best); and certainly an opportunity to find out how pastors ministering in a variety of American sub-cultures face up to comparable challenges in 'Norn Iron'.
Let's see what happens ...

A weariness of God?

Having enthusiastically launched our 'Read the Bible in a year' scheme in church last Sunday morning, I confess that my own daily Bible reading and prayer this past week has been somewhat less than consistent. So much for the motivating and sustaining power of good intentions.  Here are some heart searching thoughts from Puritan John Owen as he gets to the bottom of what's really going on...
"All neglect of private duties [by which he means personal Bible reading and prayer] is principled by a weariness of God.... God alone being the fountain and spring of spiritual life, if there be a weariness of him and withdrawing from him, it is impossible but that there will a decay in the life ensue. Indeed, what men are in these duties (I mean as to faith and love in them), that they are, and no more. Here lies the root of their obedience; and if this fail, all fruit will quickly fail." John Owen, Works 6:300
HT: Eric Ortlund, who offers some further helpful reflections here.
And thinking some more about the weakness of the human heart to carry through with what it says it wants to resolve to do, see Tullian's piece here.

A prayer for 2012

Lord God Almighty,

I understand that I am unable to do anything without your help, so I ask you to enable me by your grace to fulfill your will.

Give me grace to do whatever brings most glory and honor to you, pleasure and profit to me, and life and love to others.

Help me to number my days,spending my time wisely, living my life with all my might while I still have breath.

Humble me in the knowledge that I am chief of sinners; when I hear of the sins of others, help me to not look upon them with pride, but to look upon myself with shame, confessing my own sins to you. 
When I go through difficulties and trials, remind me of the pains of hell from which you have already delivered me.

Place people in my path who need my help, and give me a compassionate and generous spirit.

Fill my heart with such love that I would never do anything out of a spirit of revenge, nor lose my temper with those around me.

Hold my tongue when I am tempted to speak evil of others.Thank you for the gospel and for the hope of glory. 
Help me to live in light of these truths every day of my life, so that when the time of my death  arrives, I will rest assuredly in you, and you will be most glorified in me.

In Christ’s name, Amen
Adapted from some of the first of Jonathan Edwards' resolutions by Trevin Wax