Thoughts On George Herbert

1593-1633. A tumultuous time. Catholics are still killing Protestants. The monarchy is sponsoring uniformity with Prayer book, and the fight between Puritanism and established Anglican Church. Puritanism can’t gather everyone together. It is a violent time.

George Herbert (dies at age 40) comes from a wealthy background, university orator at Cambridge in 1620, member of Parliament, married, and named rector, ordained to Anglican priesthood at Salisbury Cathedral. Lives only 40 years, 3 of which are as a pastor.

Much of his The Country Parson is idealism. He’s chosen to leave Parliament to be faithful in a small place that no one will see. Many of his people are illiterate; he writes the poems to bring the Gospel to the people he leads.

“…People by what they understand, are best led to what they understand not.” p. 58

“Scriptures hee findes four things; Precepts for life, Doctrines for knowledge, Examples for illustration, and Promises for comfort.” p. 58

“When You speak, all are scholars…”

“The country parson’s library is a holy Life.” If you make it through a temptation, you’ve got a sermon.

“Sermons are to inform or enflame.”

AVAILABLE NOW

Sheltering Mercy and Endless Grace help us rediscover the rich treasures of the Psalms—through free-verse prayer renderings of their poems and hymns—as a guide to personal devotion and meditation. Sheltering Mercy helps the reader pray Psalms 1-75; Endless Grace leads in prayer through Psalms 76-150.

The church has always used the Psalms as part of its prayer life, and they have inspired countless other prayers. Each book contains 75 prayers drawn from the Book of Psalms, providing lyrical sketches of what authors Ryan Smith and Dan Wilt have seen, heard, and felt while sojourning there. Each prayer is a response to the Psalms written in harmony with Scripture. These prayers help us quiet our hearts before God and welcome us into a safe place amid the storms of life.

These artful, poetic, and classic devotional books are a perfect gift, and feature compelling stunning illustrations and hardcover binding, offering a fresh way to reflect on and pray the Psalms. Co-written with Ryan Whitaker Smith, Brazos Publishing.

Pre-Order below, and join my email list, to get author notes and updates about the book and events around it. 

Get free eBooks and updates

Enter your email address to receive free ebooks, encouragements, updates, and news about events.
I'll only email you occasionally, and I always seek to send something that encourages you.