What explains the lunacy of our present political leadership? The explanations are varied, of course, but they generally cannot be grouped under stupidity. Ignorance, often, but stupidity no. You don’t get to the positions of influence that these people occupy because you are unable to tie your own shoes. The question is not a matter …
The Sum of All Lawful Prayers
Book 3/Section 20 The sixth petition (section 46) 1. What is the sixth petition? 2. How should we pray against two opposite temptations? 3. What makes very little difference? Public prayers (section 47) 1. What should the prayers of Christians be? 2. What is signified by the amen? The sum of the acceptable (section 48) …
The Lord As the Sound Tech
The songs of the saints are not a rehearsal in an empty theater. And although the Scripture says that we do address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, we have to remember that the music of God’s people is not private music. We address God, and we address one another, but others …
Grace Both Lifts and Lowers
We have reminded you many times that this is a table of thanksgiving, and not a table of introspection. We have come here to rejoice and be glad, not to mope in the presence of our heavenly Father. This is not because there is no moral danger for us. Of course not. But the danger …
A Place to Sing
Our Father and God, You have established Your Church as a royal priesthood in this world, and so we intercede for the nations of men now, confessing on their behalf so that the grace of Your forgiveness will soon be extended to them all. Father, we acknowledge our sin to You, bowing beneath the weight …
Public Spirited Brick Throwers
The cash for clunkers program is a variation on a theme, one that highlights the economic illiteracy of our times, and the greediness of our leaders and people. Free money — who could be against that? Well, me, for starters. Here is the theme. Henry Hazlitt (Economics in One Lesson) pointed out what he called …
Daily Bread
Book 3/Chapter 20 The fourth petition (section 44) 1. What do we do in the second half of the prayer? 2. What is the fourth petition? 3. What do some who entrust their souls to God still struggle with? 4. When our storehouses are stuffed and our cellars full, what should we still do? The …
Three Petitions
Book 3/Chapter 20 The first petition (section 41) 1. What is the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer? 2. What are we always bidden to be concerned for in our prayers? The second petition (section 42) 1. What is the second petition? 2. What relation does the second petition have to the first? 3. How …
Shutting the Gate of Prayer
Book 3/Chapter 20 The Lord’s Prayer (section 34) 1. The Lord’s Prayer is a table of what? Six petitions (section 35) 1. How many petitions does Calvin divide the Lord’s Prayer into? 2. How are those six divided? In calling Him Father (section 36) 1. What are we doing when we call God Father? 2. …
The Great Value of Music
Sorry — got a day behind. Should be caught up later today. Book 3/Chapter 20 Public temples (section 30) 1. What do we need to have since there needs to be common prayers for believers? 2. Public prayer is lawful provided what? 3. Do the buildings make prayers more holy? Singing (section 31) 1. Does …