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Who Can Dwell With God? Musings on Psalm 15

Posted on 11/16/2011 by Steve Clay

Oh how we all love the Psalms! Their comforting words have taken us all through lonely nights and fearful experiences. They are where we often turn when in trouble, alone, or despondent. The Psalms have provided deep comfort and encouragement in our most trying times.

But there is one Psalm about which I have had ambivalent feeling. For at first read, it describes attributes up to which I grossly fail. Not the comforting words of Psalm 23, which clearly describe the shepherding hand of the Lord. But on closer inspection I see that the Psalm is not really about me at all. Let’s take a look at it.

Psalm 15 begins with a poignant question:

“O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?”

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Thoughts from C.S. Lewis' The Weight of Glory

Posted on 11/2/2011 by Steve Clay

For Christians, the idea of self-denial is not an end in and of itself. It is intended for something greater; something in alignment with our God-given desires. But what are those desires that self-denial would bring. While unselfishness connotes going without for the benefit of someone else, is self-denial the ultimate expression of love? What then is the reward of love?

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Being Still in Knowing God—Musings on Psalm 46

Posted on 8/3/2011 by Steve Clay

Jenny opened the note left on her pillow by her husband. As she quickly opened it, her hands trembled. Their relationship had been strained of recent, frequent quarrels breaking out. The note revealed his intentions to leave her and their three children. He would be filing for divorce and had seized all their assets.

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Motivation for Ministry

Posted on 6/15/2011 by Steve Clay

As one who has dedicated my life to helping people grow through their life struggles, I often face the temptation to become weary. “Why do I do this?” I query within myself. A close examination of that question reveals that much of my motivation is driven by a sense of obligation—the sense that I “should” do this because of how good God has been to me—or fear—I mean, what else can I do, since this is where I have landed in my life pursuit.

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Finding Joy in God (Part One): Human Pride and the Praise of Men

Posted on 5/14/2011 by Steve Clay

Human Pride and the Praise of Men

What do you love more than anything else? What is it that you are convinced will make you happy? These questions form a basis for what we live, whether we are aware of it or not. All of us live for something . . . something we treasure, hope in, and in which we find pleasure. 

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What Makes the Gospel Good News?

Posted on 3/16/2011 by Steve Clay

I’ve been reading, thinking, and praying much about the meaning of the Gospel. As a biblical counselor I believe the gospel is the central element of change. By that I mean that the gospel is necessary in order to change the heart from its natural pursuit and slavery to sin toward the pursuit of things pertaining to Christ. The gospel is good news. But what is the good

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