You Don’t Need to Sit at Jesus’s Feet
As surprising as it may seem, reading your Bible with the Holy Spirit’s help is better than sitting at Jesus’s feet.
But our reason for humility is also our greatest reason for hope! Understanding the Bible doesn’t depend ultimately on your IQ, your efforts, or how long you’ve been a Christian. Understanding the Bible depends on the Spirit of God in you. Even the lowliest Christian can see more than the greatest Old Testament prophets, because by the... Continue Reading
John Stott’s Life-Changing Chapter
Looking back I have John Stott to thank for encouraging me not to seek a same-sex sexual relationship for myself.
The characteristically careful distinctions he opens with helped me process my sexual feelings in a liveable way. His exposition of the biblical passages that speak about homosexual practice built my confidence in God’s Word. His big picture portrait of the place of marriage in the Bible and Christian doctrine enabled me to make sense of... Continue Reading
Freedom with Qualifications
If we paid more attention to order, we might argue about freedom differently.
I may not do just anything I want with my life. The rest of you will not let me. I may not engage in deadly duels (even with a willing adversary). I am prohibited from taking certain drugs, from marrying my sister, from marrying more than one person, from selling my kidney for transplant to... Continue Reading
How to Pray for Your Pastor
A godly pastor is a joyful, dutiful herald of the most high King
I suspect that many people who sit week after week in the pews of their particular church have no idea how difficult a Sunday is for a minister and his family. Pray for your pastor’s Sundays. Robert Murray M’Cheyne says: “A well-spent sabbath we feel to be a day of heaven upon earth. … We... Continue Reading
How We Read the Bible Rightly and Get It Wrong
Let's show mercy to those who 'misinterpret' Jeremiah 29:11 and other favorite verses
“How will you respond? Your exegetically and theologically trained mind immediately populates a list of problems with her use of this verse: this is a horrible translation of the Bible; this verse is taken out of context; this is a word spoken to the nation of Israel in the Old Covenant and therefore can’t apply... Continue Reading
The Confession of a Grace Abuser
There have been times I’ve used my “grace card” like it was some kind of unlimited hall pass
“If you and I are at all serious about personal holiness, we’ll need to look under the hood of our hearts and try to figure out why we do what we do and then have the wisdom and courage to do something about it. I think two of the most spiritually crippling words for followers... Continue Reading
An Open Letter to Husbands who Abuse Their Wives
If you harm your wife physically, sexually, emotionally, or materially, Jesus stands against you
“There is no place among the followers of Jesus for violence or harsh words, for sexual manipulation, for financial leverage or for making threats. Blaming tiredness or stress, or alcohol and drugs doesn’t cut it. These things are symptoms of a deeper issue in your heart.” Author’s note: If you are in an abusive... Continue Reading
5 Vacation Goals For A Leader
What is the purpose of vacation? What are the goals you have for vacation?
“Vacation should allow us time to restore relationships to maximum health. With God. With family. With ourself. The busyness of life can strain relationships. Vacation gives you the opportunity to pause and get back to optimum health with the most important relationships in our life.” I will never forget a sobering question I received... Continue Reading
The Aesthetics of Worship
Why do we sing in church, in our living room, at a concert, etc.?
“Is there (or should there be) a palpable difference between the aesthetics of worship and other opportunities for singing together? Does the context of a coffee house, campfire, concert hall, stadium, living room, or sanctuary change our expectations and practice of making music?” In my last post, I set out a series of questions–including... Continue Reading
Marriage Will Cost You
When you think of the cost of marriage, what comes to mind?
“They say marriage teaches you more about selflessness than you ever wanted to know. I have definitely found that phrase to be true in my relationship with my husband. Because at the heart of it, real love is all about sacrifice. About the giving of yourself, in ways big and small.” Did you ever... Continue Reading