This Momentary Marriage

What an outstanding couple.

John Piper says about them, “I tremble with the glad responsibility of introducing you to Ian & Larissa Murphy in this video. Tremble, because it is their story and so personal. So delicate. So easily abused. So unfinished. Glad, because Christ is exalted over all things.”


You can read more of their story here, here and here. I would guess there may be even more from the Murphys, so you may want to subscribe at the Desiring God website.

Suffering Well

Have you ever had to go through something hard, something really tough? Are you going through it right now? Click here to read Psalm 42. This great Psalm was written by a man who was going through something hard. His transparency and honesty and his desire to go to God in the middle of it all is a lesson for us all.

I like how John Piper prayed about Psalm 42:

“Oh Father, I want us to be swallowed up in this Psalm. Not that it’s a happy place to be. But to learn how to be in an unhappy place is what we need. And this Psalmist does it so well. He is miserable so well. I want You to teach Your people how to be struck down, well. How to be in turmoil, well. How to be downcast, well. How to have waves break over them, well. And the Psalms, and this one in particular, is so well suited to help us. So grant that we would know how to feel and how to think with You in the Psalms. Through Christ I pray. Amen."

And if you haven't seen Piper's profound take on

Christmas Poem

John Piper's Christmas poem (from 23 years ago today) imagines a visit by Jesus to the stable where he was born...

IOUS

Pastor John Piper recommends settling your heart before quiet time using this acrostic:

I - "Incline my heart to your testimony..." Psalm 119:36
O - "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your word." Psalm 119:18
U - "Unite my heart to fear your name." Psalm 86:11
S - "Satisfy me in the morning with your steadfast love that I may rejoice and be glad all day." Psalm 90:14