Rebecca Stark is the author of The Good Portion: God, the second title in The Good Portion series.
The Good Portion: God explores what Scripture teaches about God in hopes that readers will see his perfection, worth, magnificence, and beauty as they study his triune nature, infinite attributes, and wondrous works.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:00AM 
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,[1] in the name of Christ,[2] by the help of his Spirit;[3] with confession of our sins,[4] and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.[5]
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 9:39PM 
From Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware:
…Christians gather together to worship God in communities of faith. While worship is sometimes private and silent, worship in the Bible also requires the regular gathering of God’s people to do what can only happen when they come together (Acts 2:42). Christians can grow much and encourage others to grow in Christ as they participate in different parts of the worship of God. Meeting together, Christians grow as they participate in singing hymns and songs of praise, as they pray for one another and for needs in many places, as they listen to the reading of God’s Word week by week, and as they hear the Scriptures faithfully taught and preached. God has chosen to use these gatherings of local churches as one of his main ways to encourage his people to be faithful and to teach them more about himself and his ways. No wonder the writer to the Hebrews is grieved that some have made a habit of “neglecting to meet together.” We need what God has planned to bring to his people only as they gather in local churches. The prayer, preaching, teaching, singing, fellowship, encouragement, accountability, and other parts of church worship provide us much that we need for resisting temptation and following Christ. Yes, much is at stake in our regular participation in a strong and faithful local church.
This is the first reason Ware gives for why meeting in a local church is important for the life and well-being of all Christians. I’ll post the second reason on Wednesday. Meanwhile, can you guess what it is?
Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 3:58PM 
One more Olney Hymn to finish out the month of September. This hymn, it says, if for “the new convert.”
The new–born child of gospel–grace,
Like some fair tree when summer’s nigh,
Beneath EMMANUEL’s shining face,
Lifts up his blooming branch on high.
No fears he feels, he sees no foes
No conflict yet his faith employs,
Nor has he learnt to whom he owes,
The strength and peace his soul enjoys.
But sin soon darts its cruel sting,
And comforts sinking day by day;
What seemed his own, a self–fed spring,
Proves but a brook that glides away.
When Gideon armed his num’rous host,
The LORD soon made his numbers less;
And said, lest Israel vainly boast, “
My arm procured me this success.”
Thus will he bring our spirits down,
And draw our ebbing comforts low;
That saved by grace, but not our own,
We may not claim the praise we owe.
—William Cowper
Other hymns, worship songs, sermons etc. posted today:
Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by emailing me at the address in the sidebar and I’ll add your post to the list.