John Piper's Poem, "The Calvinist"

When many people speak (or hear) of Calvinism, they think of a "faith" that is cold and unfeeling. This short poem, in video form, does a wonderful job of getting at the essence of what a Calvinistic understanding of God and his word ought to look like. My prayer is that I, by God's grace, may be this kind of man.

The Inkeeper by John Piper

John Piper reads his poem, The Inkeeper. (HT: Desiring God)

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Jesus of the Scars is a poem by Edward Shillito (1872-1948), an English pastor who had seen firsthand the horrific trench warfare of the First World War.

If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,
We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.

If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

"Run, John, run,"
The law commands,
But gives neither feet nor hands.
Better news the gospel brings:
It bids us fly and gives us wings.

John Bunyan

Totally like whatever, you know?

I was reminded of how much I like this Taylor Mali poem when I saw it on Justin Taylor's blog today. It is a good reminder to not only believe what you say, but to say it like you believe it.

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.