Musings

A quote by C.S. Lewis who died on this day 50 years ago. I will always be grateful for the writings of this literary giant from the Emerald Isle. Perhaps like most other atheists, he was reluctant to accept the concept of a higher power because to him that would mean subservience and a kind of intellectual suicide. However, as he recounts in his partial autobiography 'Surprised by Joy': I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet. But who can duly adore that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape? The words “compelle intrare,” compel them to come in, have been so abused b...

He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,   but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.   2 Timothy 1:9-10 Sometimes the inspired letters of Paul the apostle contain sentences which just blow my mind. I read this excerpt several times this morning to try to comprehend the profundity and extent of the truth contained in these few lines.  I could fill pages by merely considering the first word He . Who is this He ? Paul does not need to convince the recipient of his letter that Christ actually lived, died and rose again, because Timothy well knows it. Timothy's mother, Eunice, was Jewish and his father Greek (Acts 16:1), but yet his grandmother, Lois and his mother have both accepted the...

Today, I was thankful to find a few free hours in the afternoon for quiet meditation and worship in the stillness of my well-insulated flat. By meditation, I mean quiet reflection of God and His glory as recorded by the Psalmist in Psalm 111. The Psalm ends with the words: to him belongs eternal praise. I couldn't agree more because I have heard the 'still, small voice' many times in my life and seen his miraculous hand in protection and healing. That alone makes me want to praise him forever. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Why does eternal praise belong to God? We will be eternally grateful to God for saving us through the death of Christ on the cross and for his redeeming love. That song of praise has already started on earth. Contrary to popular belief, we will praise God for his benevolence, mercy, loving kindness, holiness, righteousness, unfailing love, compassion... No language contains enough words to describe God and no mind can comprehend his entity, ...