You really seem to have some great things going in order to keep your spiritual vitality alive. Reading about the experiences of other Christian saints and daily feeding on God's Word can only but build you up in "that most holy faith". Having a devotion time with your wife is an added blessing that will benefit your marriage relationship many fold. I know that when my wife and I share a devotion time together especially at the start of the day it sets the tone for the day because God is acknowleged and asked to reign in us that day.

Your concerns for a more disciplined prayer time is well understood. Probably most of us , who are called by Christ's name, struggle with this discipline and we may wonder how Paul prayed without ceasing...This struggle is a good struggle to have though...Again, something we need to trust God to work out in our lives, just like everything else. Fortunitly, we have the Holy Spirit to help us.

Concerning my devotion times you might find quite odd. For the past thirteen years, I have written out the Bible by hand on simple lined paper. Both early morning and evening I sit and write out portions of Scripture and answer these three questions each time: 1, What truth do these Holy Scriptures want me to believe? 2. By faith, how does God want His peope to act? and 3. What Christ-likeness should the Holy Spirit then produce in my life?

It took me seven and a half years to completely write the Bible out by hand, one lined page every day, 365 days a year. I was desperate to know God and His ways. And I still am ! I have reduced the amount I write down now daily but there's nothing I more look forward to after a hard day's work then to sit down and write out God's word.

You talked about singing a prayer. Now, there's a great way to stimulate the Spirit within you! The Spirit of God loves to sing and use your mouth to glorify God. So keep it up.

I receive daily devotionals from Rick Warren and find them very practical and helpful and would recommend them to you as well. In some spare time I try to read through some five or six books a year (right now Philip Yancy's Soul Survivor) There is just so much that God has given to us.
May His name be praised forevermore... I need to go now.

Grace and Peace,

KD

My wife and i are together much appreciating the One Year book of Christian History by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten. Today, November 25, Isaac Watts and the date he died, with Scripture of 1 Samuel 16:7. There are"Reflection" thoughts and/or questions for each day.

And also i am reading Psalms using the One Year Bible. The Lord's Prayer that he taught His disciples i silently sing and/or speak at breakfast or lunch. Respectively a focus on a specific verse in the Psalms, or of a word or phrase in the Prayer. And i recommend "31 Days of Praying for Your Pastor" that you can get at ReviveOurHearts.com

A weekly men's Bible study of John is a rich blessing and for me a needed discipline. But i am lacking a prayer life that is disciplined in time and content.

Klaas, thanks for asking. And what Bible devotions do you use/recommend?

In His Grip ><>

By the way, what Bible devotions do you use as a regular means of maintaining your spiritual health?

God bless you,
Klaas

At one time Nick was appropriate because i thought myself a saint (St. Nick ;-), but as i approached age 50 someone invited me to BSF and i soon realized i was a sinner - chief of sinners at that. Reading/studying God's Word does tend to convict one of sin and the need for a Savior.

Thanks for the prayers - and right now i pray for you Klaas, that God protects you and your loved ones from the one who masquerades as an "angel of light". And yes, to God be all the glory! From the time i was a "saint" pride is always a temptation and i understand why some call themselves Anonymous. Perhaps for me, McAnonymous?

Love, Blessings ><>

Blessings,

KD

There is an enemy that also prowls around seeking someone to devour. His name is Satan. But, greater is He that is within you than he that is in the world. Only you,Nick, be strong and courageous and preach the Gospel in season and out. Don't be distracted from your calling, only be faithful to the One who has suffered and died for you and He will lift you up in due season.

I too, am praying for you.

KD

My apologies, Luidens and Lewis have given their evaluation of change in the RCA.

With sadness i confess that my thoughts are most aligned with Donald Luidens evaluation of the RCA in "The Mournful Sounds of Implosion." However, under Item #2 Ideological Messiness is a statement that i disagree with, "intervening years have not been kind to liberals, who have deserted the RCA in significant numbers." My take on the numbers is that it is conservatives who have left the RCA because of disagreement with liberal authority. The greatest declines in the RCA (as well as the ECUSA/TEC and the UCC) are where liberal theology has gained control - in particular the eastern RCA churches.

Currently the "loyalists" are those now controling the RCA agenda and conversation to maintain unity, or as was stated at our Classis Dialogue on Homosexuality - to "find a kernel of commonality".

Theological Muddiness (Luiden's Item #4) i directly attribute to the leadership within the RCA, beginning with our General Secretary and then to other "loyalists" throughout the ranks. Too simple perhaps, in that the loyalists are prejudiced in agreement with liberal theology. This "conservative" can live with such things as social justice and women in office, But it is difficult for my wife and i to remain RCA when we are being pushed to accept sexual relationships other than what God has affirmed and blessed - well yes, as the Bible says. ;-)

Blessings ><>

Do you think the RCA has reached the point where a splinter denomination will result? There is the same polarized discussion over biblical interpretation and biblical authority as that which led to the ECUSA split in North America. It is interesting to note that the ECUSA dissenters are supported by a super majority of the International Anglican Communion.

Some interesting connections: The Rev Dr Stephen Kaziimba of the Anglican Communion was at Western Seminary for his doctorate and is bishop of the province of Mityana in Africa. He had previous authority at churches and schools in Mukono, Uganda, where he received strong support from Providence CRC in Holland MI, and from St Stephen's Anglican Church in Heathsville VA. St Stephen's is what you call a "dissenter", along with many other former ECUSA churches, because the ECUSA was "allowing Western culture to corrupt its proclamation of the Gospel"..and was compromising "Biblical principles."

Donald Luidens and Bradley Lewis may want to evaluate the currents of change that are causing members to drift away from the RCA, and from the CRC.

Blessings ><>