I’ve really wanted to address the issue of God speaking today, what John Piper described as the “supremely-glorious communication of the living God which personally and powerfully and transformingly explodes in the receptive heart through the Bible.” (See this post) This is my kind of thing; it is a passion of mine.  I should probably write this stuff over at my defunct blog lest my wife feel well enough to turn on her computer some day soon, but I posted the link to the Piper article here.  I can’t say everything I want to say, maybe someday when things are less hectic, but I can say this:

Within the past month we’ve had two very sudden deaths in our church family.  Our church family is small—only about 160 or so.  One death was an older gentleman who was given two years to live just a month ago.  The other was a young husband and father who was a couple of years younger than me.  As someone who has been going through some very difficult times recently reminded me, when God’s providence is frowning it can be hard to see His smiling face.  Where do you turn for hope in times like these?

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.