Some of my favorite poems are those that pick up on one particularly important line and then repeat it throughout, thus consistently building upon a theme. This is the case with an old poem titled “When I Get to the End of the Way.” The poet looks forward to the end of her journey through life–to the end of her way. In one collection I’ve seen it attributed to H. Cole, in another to simply B. P. C., and in another Margaret Baker Culp. Either way, I hope you find it encouraging.

My life is a wearisome journey,I’m sick with the dust and the heat,The rays of the sun beat upon me,The briars are wounding my feet.But the city to which I am journeying,Will more than my trials repay,All the toils of the road will seem nothing,When I get to the end of the way.
There are so many hills to climb upward,I often am longing for rest,But He who appoints me my pathway,Knows just what is needful and best.I know in his word he has promised,That my strength shall be as my day,And the toils of the road will seem nothing,When I get to the end of the way.
He loves me too well to forsake me,Or give me one trial too much,All his people have been dearly purchased,And Satan can never claim such.By and by I shall see him and praise him,In the city of unending day,And the toils of the road will seem nothing,When I get to the end of the way.
When the last feeble step has been taken,And the gates of the city appear,When the beautiful songs of the angels,Float out on my listening ear.When all that now seems so mysterious,Shall be plain and as clear as the day,Then the toils of the road will seem nothing,As I get to the end of the way.
Though now I am footsore and weary,I shall rest when I’m safely at home,I know I’ll receive a glad welcome,For the Savior himself has said Come.So when I am weary in body,And sinking in spirit I say,All the toils of the road will seem nothing,When I get to the end of the way.

May the God of love and peace be with you today.

(Yesterday on the blog: All Will Be Well)
Discipled by Algorithms
I think it’s increasingly important that we acknowledge the centrality of algorithms in modern life. “We live in a personally curated and expertly crafted world of information, driven by algorithms that often wield significant influence over our lives and our outlook on the social and ethical issues of our day. The world you see online is often very different than what I might see, which in turn makes it difficult to address many of the root problems of our day.”
Four Ways the Church Can Welcome Kids with Special Needs
This article offers four simple ways a church can welcome kids with special needs (and make their families feel comfortable being there).
The Forgotten Gift of Evening Worship
There are lots of good reasons to consider evening worship services, with the strongest reason probably being their long history in the Protestant tradition. “In this season of fresh starts and resolutions, here are some biblical, historical, and practical reasons you should cherish the gift of evening worship.”
Sovereign
Susan Lafferty: “In the weight of urgent prayer, a passage of Scripture whispers in my thoughts. Rising gently. Firmly. Pressing through the questions and concerns. A hymn of praise. Penned by Paul. About the Sovereign One.”
For Those Disheartened in Serving
Amber Thiessen has an article for those who may be growing disheartened in their serving.
If You Want to Be Content, Stop Looking Back
Lydia Brownback: “‘Why? Why? Why?’ The seemingly endless questions of a three-year-old test our patience at times. But even in those moments we rejoice because those whys reveal a budding interest in how the world works. And asking why about the world isn’t just for kids—it’s for all people at every age, because curiosity about creation points to the Creator.”
Flashback: Would It Be Okay For Me To Be Angry With God?
It felt like a test—a test of my faith, a test of my convictions, a test of my love for God. Soon, very soon, after I learned that my son had died, I received a message from an old acquaintance.

When we have sorrow or suffering, our question should not be, “What have I done that God is punishing me for?” but, “What is the mission of this messenger of God to me?” —J.R. Miller

I am still in Unalaska, Alaska. That’s three days now in which no flights have been able to land. As much as I am enjoying the place and people, I’m ready to get home!

This month Logos is offering a Get Logos 10, Give Logos 10 deal. They are also offering weekly specials as they approach Black Friday. This week you can get deals on a good number of commentaries, theological resources, and so on. Finally, don’t forget to look at their free and nearly free books for the month.
There is another huge list of Kindle deals today. It includes a long list of general market books.
(Yesterday on the blog: Living Sorrows and Departed Joys)
Train Up a Child
“For years, I looked at Proverbs 22:6 as a promise from God. I believed if I taught my children the truths of the Word of God, they would turn out right and never rebel.” Dianna corrects herself and offers some items for reflection.
Divine Infinity (Video)
In this brief explainer video, Kevin DeYoung explains God’s infinity.
Should Evangelicals Pray with Roman Catholics?
Leonardo De Chirico considers joint prayer meetings between Protestants and Roman Catholics. “As I speak at conferences on Roman Catholicism worldwide and how Evangelicals should relate to it, a question often arises: ‘What about joint prayer? Could or should Evangelicals pray with Roman Catholics?’ Let me offer my rules of thumb as I wrestle with the issue.”
75 Theses on Pastoral Ministry
J.A. Medders offers a long list of 75 theses on pastoral ministry.
Is “Mental Illness” a Helpful Label?
“Considerable controversy has arisen over the label ‘mental illness’ and whether or when such a label should be used.” Tom Karel and David Murray consider whether it’s a helpful label and whether, therefore, we ought to use it.
Psalm Singing: The Church’s Punk Rock
The title might be a little over the top, but the article itself is a good one. It explains why churches ought to include psalms in the selections they sing in their worship services.
Flashback: If God Is Not Sovereign…
Unless God is sovereign we look to the future with uncertainty rather than confidence, with hope that is shaky and trepidatious rather than firmly fixed.

God’s glory and our good are not mutually exclusive. —Erik Raymond