Easter Reflections, Part 2

“He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief . . . Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried” (Is 53.3a-b, 4a-b). Oscar Wilde tells a fascinating story in his book The Picture of Dorian Gray. Basil Hallward paints a portrait of Dorian Gray-a young, handsome, strapping young man. Enamored by Dorian’s beauty, Lord Henry Wotton encourages Dorian to take […]

Easter Reflections, Part 1

” . . . the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” (Jn 18.11b) Having ordered Peter to sheath his sword, Jesus rhetorically demands that Peter stick to the plan. Jesus had to drain the drink in front of him. And no beggarly fisherman was going to disrupt the swill. Jesus was not simply saying cleverly to Peter, “I’ve got to do what I’ve got […]

Genuflecting at the Altar of Democracy

It’s become quite the news story. Abdul Rahman, an Afghan and former Muslim, has been ratted out as Christian. According to Afghanistan’s Islamic law, such an offense is punishable by death. This has captured the ire of the international community (i.e., the West), who is pressuring President Hamid Karzai toward a friendly compromise. However, this capital punishment is not the impulsive will of a deranged despot, but is the widely-expected […]

More Dirty Laundry

Slumping on the hidden stairs last weekend I asked God to prepare my heart for our public worship. Little did I realize the sludge from which that request came. Exposed before me was the disparity between my private and public life. This affliction is not exclusive to pastors; although, pastors do engage in a unique public ministry that exacerbates the tension. It was obvious to me that I was asking […]

Ferguson on Preaching

You cannot afford to miss Sinclair Ferguson’s sermon on “The Church and the Preaching of the Word” from 1 Timothy 3.10-4.5 (3/12/06). It is a soothing balm to my soul this morning. Among his many heart-piercing statements one in particular echoes loudly: “Do not dare hide God’s word from them.” Another pounds heavily: “The pulpit is a deconstructing place.” The congregation has as much responsibility to the pulpit as the […]

Cherish the Pulpit–It May Very Well Kill You

In October 2004, I wrote the following during a soul-searching season. At that time I was recently fired from my first church, but was having to stay around to finalize an adoption. So, I was a pastor without a people and a preacher without pulpit. Never had I appreciated the office more. But, God was clear: the act (art?) of preaching can become an idol and He would be worshiped, […]

Lessons from a Bingo Parlor

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13.44-46). On […]

Another Monday Reflection

“. . . because of the grace given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Rom 15.15b-16).” Paul helps me see that yesterday was sacramental. There were offerings being made to the God of the universe. There was confession, repentance, worship […]

More Random (and I do mean random) Thoughts from Taffin

“Now, it is indeed a holy and profitable exercise in nourishing our soul to read God’s Word at home, meditating on it and instructing the family in it. God commands this. Those who are sluggish and indifferent in this exercise show that they have little concern for the life of their souls. However, this is not enough. We must also assemble to confess God’s name, to call upon him, to […]