I spend a surprising amount of time reading through old hymnals and collections of poetry—rather a strange hobby, I suppose. There is a lot that’s familiar and a lot that’s terrible. Every now and again, though, I come across a poem that is new to me and that I find especially enjoyable. That was the case with this one written by Caroline Noel in honor of her husband. It reflects on the joy they experience in one another and the reality that they must someday part. I trust it will bless you as it did me.

When I give thanks to God, for allHis priceless gifts to me,Believe that then, among the chief,I give Him thanks for thee.
For all the love that He has rainedUpon me, from thine eyes,That shine like stars above my storms,Calm, though they sympathize.
And if one day the hands must loose,That now so fondly clasp,Yet, e’en though parted, both will beWithin the same strong grasp.
One on Christ’s bosom gently laid,The other safely ledA longer road, unto the landWhere live the blessed Dead.
There meeting, who can guess the gleamOf rapture, that will rise,When we the light of that fair realmSee in each other’s eyes?
O deep unspeakable reposeOf knowing, that for ayeAll that disturbed and hindered loveHas wholly passed away!
Sin, sickness, sorrow, chills of age,And pangs of mortal fear,Can never reach the land where ChristHas wiped away each tear.
For Death has no dominion there,Where Sin has never trod,But souls transfigured, live and love,Within the Life of God.
Then fear we not to trust His Word,And cherish Love’s increase;Since e’en its sharpest throes must passInto Eternal Peace.

Good morning. Grace and peace to you.

Today’s Kindle deals include a selection from Crossway.
(Yesterday on the blog: I Am Under the Unerring Care of God)
United States of Abortion: A Grave History in Five Threads
Marvin Olasky traces the history of abortion in the US and explains how it requires the answers to five questions.
Advice from a Retiring Minister
There is such great advice here from a retiring minister. He speaks with the voice of love and long experience.
Distinguishing Judgment from Godly Reproof
“It is difficult to think of a verse more misused than ‘Do not Judge’ (Matt. 7:1). The number of times it has been used to censure Godly reproof would be impossible to count. If you are in the habit of reading the Word of God and upholding Godly standards, then you have most likely had this verse thrown your way while commenting on some behavior or trend of which God disapproves.”
Where Would I Be?
This is a sweet one from Mary Nolte. “Sometimes we forget who we are. Where we have been. Where we would be. It takes a moment to remember, a moment to grasp the reality of just how low sin had taken us, how far the reaches of fallenness go, how deeply the brokenness had shattered our souls. Sometimes we are privileged to be reminded. The other night, I had a stark reminder.”
Social
Kristin considers how good it is to be fully present in an age of distraction.
Ethical Photography as a Global Citizen
These are very good things to think about. “Sharing photos of your work and life is important. As a world traveler, your responsibility is to share photos ethically by respecting the people and culture of your host country. It can be tempting, especially if your project or salary is underfunded, to share compromising photos of the people in your host country in an effort to validate your need for being there.”
Flashback: Parents: To Join Social Media Is To Witness Death
I didn’t want to see that man die, I didn’t need to see that man die, but I did see that man die. And since that day I’ve seen many others die, almost always through social media.

The exposition of a passage of Scripture is not intended to be a popular-level commentary in spoken form but an encounter with the God who speaks. —Sinclair Ferguson

Yesterday was my first day at my desk in a while and it felt so good to be back! I’m so grateful that a pretty significant infection can be defeated by $20 worth of prescriptions. What a world we live in! I’m looking forward to sharing some new articles beginning on Monday.

Logos has launched a new sale so you can save money on all things sermons. Remember they’ve also got a Pastor Appreciation Sale going on.
When Being Affirming Isn’t Loving
Not surprisingly, Carl Trueman has something to say about Andy Stanley’s (and Pope Francis’) recent attempts to be affirming. “Prophets warn the church when she is too close to the world. They do not go to the world to tell the pundits that the church is not worldly enough.” (On the same topic, see Sam Allberry’s article at CT: Andy Stanley’s ‘Unconditional’ Contradiction.”)
My God, My God, Why Have You NOT Forsaken Me?
“I was a rebel and a deceiver. I loved my sin. Why not forsake me? Why would He accept me?”
Dagon’s Head and Goliath’s Head
Mitch draws a comparison between two stories that may not, at face value, seem to have much in common.
What Old Testament Promises Are for Me?
Christians often struggle to discern how Old Testament promises apply to us today. John Piper offers some useful guidance here.
Already Unique
“I saw an article recently that focused on how three different men had each created their own unique fashion styles. All of them looked quite different from each other, and all of them had managed to combine their clothes in ways that really did stand out from most of the styles on the street. The point of the article was to explore how these men had been able to craft styles that were actually unique, and how you and I could do the same.”
Learning Dependence on the Lord
Barbaranne Kelly writes about learning her limitations. “I consider myself to be a relatively capable person. I know that I have limits, but I thought my capabilities outweighed them. I used to believe that God wouldn’t give me more than I could handle, until he started giving me more than I could handle. I’m now decades into learning how very weak and dependent—how incapable—I am, and how very strong, faithful, and capable my Lord is.”
Flashback: 6 Great Reasons To Study Doctrine
Your love for God is limited by your knowledge of him, so that you can really only love him as far as you know him. As the depth of your knowledge grows, so too does the depth of your love.

Inside and outside the church, the way you live should commend the gospel just as much as the words you say. —Alistair Begg