Psalm 39:3-4

"Mute Christian under the Smarting Rod" or, "The Silent Soul with Sovereign Antidotes" by Thomas Brooks, 1659, London. "I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the one who has done this!" Psalm 39:9 (A Christian with an Olive Leaf in his mouth, when he is under the greatest afflictions,... Read More

Excerpts from 'Devotional Classics' edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith Thomas Merton (1915-1968) Introduction to the Author Born is Prades, France, Thomas Merton had a trying and painful childhood. His mother dies when he was 6 and his father after moving numerous times dies when Thomas ... Read More

The dust shall return to the earth as it was. It is sown in corruption; it is sown in dishonour; it is sown in weakness; it is sown a natural body. — The first man is of the earth, earthy. Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. — One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quie... Read More

The fashion of this world passeth away. All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: but the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner r... Read More

My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, —Psalm 39:3 Devotional: "My heart became hot within me." He now illustrates the greatness of his grief by the introduction of a simile, telling us that his sorrow, being internally suppressed, became so much... Read More

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaks boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is. 1. Nothing is placed in the Holy Scriptures without a reason, for they... Read More

Having set your heart in tune, we now come to the music itself. Having acquired an appetite, approach the feast. Come, for all things are now ready. Heaven and Christ and the eternal glory are before you. Four factors promote heavenly contemplation. The first factor is consideration. By this I mean ... Read More

1. Of all those things which our Lord Jesus Christ has foretold, we know part to have been already accomplished, part we hope will be accomplished hereafter. All of them, however, will be fulfilled, because He is the Truth who speaks them, and requires of us to be as faithful, as He Himself speaks t... Read More

Psalm 1(1) Beatus vir qui non abiit 1 Happy indeed is the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked, nor lingers in the way of sinners nor sits in the company of scorners, 2 but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponders his law day and night. 3 He is like a tree that is planted beside... Read More

September 16, 1838. Lord's day afternoon. We met again to pray for supplies for the orphans. We are at peace, and our hope is in God. He will help us although only one shilling has come in since last evening. September 17. The trial continues. It is now more trying to our faith each day, but I am su... Read More