Poole began his literary life by submitting to publication a significant treatise against John Biddles writings on the Holy Spirit. He also gave his name to the endorsement of two published tracts: one against the Quakers and the other an evangelistic appeal upon the occasion of a notorious murderer in London.

Learn more about Pooles fascinating life and the numerous controversies in which he was engaged. The controversy that consumed most of his energy and time was his argument against the infallibility of the Roman Catholic Church, saying that Catholics have no grounding for their faith and that Protestants have a very firm grounding for faith in the Scriptures.

Do you live life that others may make much of you, or that they might make much of another? Do you point endlessly to you, or do you in every way point to Jesus Christ? John the Baptist understood that he must diminish as Jesus came onto the scene, simply for this reason: it was all about him it was all about Jesus. Just as a friend of the bridegroom wouldnt become jealous or enraged when the bridegrooms time had come, and all attention was now paid to the bridegroom instead, so John understood that he must not become jealous of the ministry of the Christ. Imagine if a friend of a bridegroom at a wedding would, in the middle of the ceremony, stand up and make a scene to draw attention because no one was looking at him. How could they all be looking at the bridegroom on this day, and not at him? His would be a misplaced estimation of who the day is all about.

God created everything for himself, yet we live our lives much like we are no friend of the bridegroom, as if we are no lovers of the living God. We strive endlessly over possessions, and we dont possess him, nor do we care to. We care more that we have been dishonored than that we have dishonored him, and horrifically so. We care more that others might recognize our gifts and talents than we are concerned that we use them for the purposes for which he gave them to us. We live lives out of fear rather than out of confidence in him, and in this we betray the name. Again, we look only inward. We still live and talk as though it is all about us. We still have desires that are all about us. The flesh is not yet sanctified and is not fully given over to him.

This is a heralds call to become less so that he might become more in us, through us, and in the world. This is a call for many to become true friends of the bridegroom. This is a call to become willing to be forgotten, so that he might be remembered forever. This is a call to find my joy completed only when and once it is completed in him.

It seems most peculiar; yes, rather strange That a bird, on a bitter branch might remainAnd more joyfully in winter months, long,Sing an elaborate, even a beautiful song.But such a bird is this one who can write,Who can attest that even though dark as night,His maker has given him a songbook of praise,To endure as a joyful sound, all days that remain.

What you are holding is a songbook. It is a different kind of songbook, for it was birthed in the darkest of night and the coldest of winter. And while it is readily in itself an instrument of praise, it also provides a foundation for other song-makers, or, shall we say, those who receive songs from God Most High. For who can sing unless God himself provides song?

This is a book for sufferers. It is for those who are enduring affliction or those who just have air filling their lungs from time to time (recognizing that all will invariably suffer). This is a book for those with questions. It is for those who wonder what God (if there is one) is doing as they sit on a branch that scrapes them endlessly with rough and bitter bark. The branch is aflame, crumbling underneath, and ready to give way. How can we find song in such a tormenting and uncertain darkness? How can we be as the rare bird who actually finds reason for song in winter?

Poole began his literary life by submitting to publication a significant treatise against John Biddles writings on the Holy Spirit. He also gave his name to the endorsement of two published tracts: one against the Quakers and the other an evangelistic appeal upon the occasion of a notorious murderer in London.

Learn more about Pooles fascinating life and the numerous controversies in which he was engaged. The controversy that consumed most of his energy and time was his argument against the infallibility of the Roman Catholic Church, saying that Catholics have no grounding for their faith and that Protestants have a very firm grounding for faith in the Scriptures.

Do you live life that others may make much of you, or that they might make much of another? Do you point endlessly to you, or do you in every way point to Jesus Christ? John the Baptist understood that he must diminish as Jesus came onto the scene, simply for this reason: it was all about him it was all about Jesus. Just as a friend of the bridegroom wouldnt become jealous or enraged when the bridegrooms time had come, and all attention was now paid to the bridegroom instead, so John understood that he must not become jealous of the ministry of the Christ. Imagine if a friend of a bridegroom at a wedding would, in the middle of the ceremony, stand up and make a scene to draw attention because no one was looking at him. How could they all be looking at the bridegroom on this day, and not at him? His would be a misplaced estimation of who the day is all about.

God created everything for himself, yet we live our lives much like we are no friend of the bridegroom, as if we are no lovers of the living God. We strive endlessly over possessions, and we dont possess him, nor do we care to. We care more that we have been dishonored than that we have dishonored him, and horrifically so. We care more that others might recognize our gifts and talents than we are concerned that we use them for the purposes for which he gave them to us. We live lives out of fear rather than out of confidence in him, and in this we betray the name. Again, we look only inward. We still live and talk as though it is all about us. We still have desires that are all about us. The flesh is not yet sanctified and is not fully given over to him.

This is a heralds call to become less so that he might become more in us, through us, and in the world. This is a call for many to become true friends of the bridegroom. This is a call to become willing to be forgotten, so that he might be remembered forever. This is a call to find my joy completed only when and once it is completed in him.

It seems most peculiar; yes, rather strange That a bird, on a bitter branch might remainAnd more joyfully in winter months, long,Sing an elaborate, even a beautiful song.But such a bird is this one who can write,Who can attest that even though dark as night,His maker has given him a songbook of praise,To endure as a joyful sound, all days that remain.

What you are holding is a songbook. It is a different kind of songbook, for it was birthed in the darkest of night and the coldest of winter. And while it is readily in itself an instrument of praise, it also provides a foundation for other song-makers, or, shall we say, those who receive songs from God Most High. For who can sing unless God himself provides song?

This is a book for sufferers. It is for those who are enduring affliction or those who just have air filling their lungs from time to time (recognizing that all will invariably suffer). This is a book for those with questions. It is for those who wonder what God (if there is one) is doing as they sit on a branch that scrapes them endlessly with rough and bitter bark. The branch is aflame, crumbling underneath, and ready to give way. How can we find song in such a tormenting and uncertain darkness? How can we be as the rare bird who actually finds reason for song in winter?