Blog
A Vision for Christlikeness
No book (besides The Scriptures) has been more significant in my spiritual growth than Dallas Willard’s Renovation of the Heart. What was so impactful for me is that Willard presents pursuing discipleship and spiritual maturity in a way that is attractive and desirable. All too often, following Christ is presented as a hard and dreary…
Read MoreThe Continuing Evangelical Disaster – Part 1
In 1984, Francis Schaeffer mourned the compromises that Evangelicals were making in terms of standing for truth and morality in his classic work The Great Evangelical Disaster. He warned that the compromises of his day would have severe ramifications for the institutional evangelical churches if not corrected. Recently, Gallup – the global analytics and advice…
Read MoreThe Hope of Jesus’ Resurrection
Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 – The verse above is one that has come to mind many times this year. This exhortation and encouragement comes at the end of Paul’s magnificent defense…
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Getting Our Attention:
Jesus’ Scandalous Genealogy
When we come to one of the genealogies in the Bible, we will more than likely just skip past it and get on to the good stuff. The New Testament actually begins with a genealogy, the family tree of Jesus. Not many of us would put this text on our list of “life verses” or favorite passages.…
Read MoreHope, Trust and Love in the Age of Fear | Part 3
The Love of Christ Controls Us Martin Luther posed a powerful question in the open letter called “Whether One May Flee a Deadly Plague” or “Whether One May Flee Death.” Written during the time when the plague was ravaging Europe, Luther says the proper question to ask is not, “What would Christ do?” but, “What…
Read MoreHope, Trust and Love in the Age of Fear | Part 2
While in seminary, a student asked one of our church history profs, “What is the greatest false assumption we are making now?” His answer: “We assume that our way of life will go on and on uninterrupted. But as with all cultures that have come before us, our American experiment and experience will come to…
Read MoreHope, Trust and Love in the Age of Fear | Part 1
In AD 165, at the apex of Roman power in the West, the Antonine Plague erupted. It is also called the Plague of Galen named after a physician who observed and recorded the symptoms of the contagion. This plague would last till AD 180 and although there is some debate, some estimates say that as…
Read MoreThe Significance of the Trinity
The uniquely Christian teaching of “One God in Three Persons” is an absolutely essential truth that provides the foundation for many other truths. In this short post, we will explore the significance of the Trinity, especially as it relates to the profound truth: “God IS LOVE.”
Read MoreIdeas That Kill
Recently, I heard a podcast and read an article called “Five Agreements That Are Killing Millennials” by John Eldredge. We all realize that there have been massive shifts in the way our culture processes reality. I am providing links to these resources because I think they have great information about where we are and where…
Read MoreThe Lasting Impact of David Brainerd
Wayne Sneed (of Orphanos) recently sent me an article written by John Piper about David Brainerd. Brainerd is a name you might not even recognize. His impact on Christianity in the West has, nevertheless, been significant. Thought I would pass this link along as it is challenging and inspiring. His Suffering Sparked a Movement: John…
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