Backsliding: Two Steps Back
Why do we sometimes wander in the spiritual wilderness for periods of our Christian life?
Backsliding is a hard part of the Christian life, and we should not like it, but it shouldn’t cause us to despair or think we’re not saved because we are backsliding. God’s people have gone through this trial before and we’ll go through it again. Of course, it is also wise to seek to avoid... Continue Reading
Reformed “Spotlight”: What About The Victims?
The same celebrity-worship that contributed to the pastor’s fall is still skewing extra pastoral attention to him to the omission of the lesser-known victims
“I personally know the tremendous confusion and distress that results when a preacher that God has greatly blessed in your life falls into sin. Many questions arise: Was I deceived? Is it all a deception? Was the blessing a delusion? Are other preachers just the same? Who can I trust?” It’s good to see... Continue Reading
Christ Will Build His Church
Europe is the new “dark continent.” Africa now sends more missionaries to Europe than Europe sends to Africa.
What hope does the church in Europe have? The promise that Christ Himself is building His church and using the gospel displayed in the lives of those who live sacrificially. It is true that nominal Christianity is in decline. That’s no big loss. However, Christ is raising up a generation of missionally minded church planters... Continue Reading
New Hope For Family Fighting To Keep ‘Indian’ Girl
Lexi was taken from the Page family by the state and sent to live with a non-blood relative, who is also a non-Native American, under the Indian Child Welfare Act
The ruling by the appeals court for an expedited appeal gives the Pages fresh hope, because that court has twice ruled in favor of the family. Both times, the appeals court sent the case back down to lower courts, which ruled against the family. But if the appeals court now rules that Lexi’s case has... Continue Reading
Dignifying Death
Speaking against a bill titled, “Iowa Death with Dignity Act,” which has many of the bells and whistles of the Oregon law enacted in 1997.
The dying wife of a faculty member came to my classroom. She was in obvious pain. Ovarian cancer had ravaged her body, so it was not a question of if, but when. She told my students, “Do not pray for me to be cured. I am beyond that point now. Pray for me that I... Continue Reading
Operation Expectant Prayer
One of the limiting factors that keep us from enjoying a full range of prayer is the discomfort of unfamiliarity.
In an effort to mobilize my congregation, I started an eight-week training exercise in prayer called “Operation Expectant Prayer.” The purpose is kingdom advancement through training, support, and engagement in prayer. I am confident that training in the practical theology of prayer, and engagement shoulder-to-shoulder in prayer for personal renewal, church revitalization and worldwide revival... Continue Reading
Stability in a Topsy Turvy World
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, and he offers undeserved stability to sinners in a topsy turvy world.
Knowing that we are secure due to the performance of Jesus Christ, we get the daily privilege of honoring him by sitting, hearing, understanding, and obeying his Word. Through his Word and Spirit, we get the privilege of living like our Savior. Fruited by the Spirit, we progressively exude love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,... Continue Reading
9 Things You Should Know About Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman will replace President Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. Here are nine things you should know about the legendary civil rights leader.
From the proceeds of a biography written by a supporter, Tubman was able to buy a property with two buildings on 26 acres near her home in Auburn, New York. She later deeded the land to the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church, to be used as a home for the elderly (which she wanted... Continue Reading
The Seed of Divorce
Your marriage may have the seeds of divorce; however, a marriage is not ruined by the presence of such seeds but by accepting, ignoring, or embracing them.
The more each mind is renewed (changed) by the Scripture, the more similarly a couple will think (Rom. 12:2). One of the worst things a couple can do is work to change one another into each other’s likeness. They are to be changed, rather, into Christ’s likeness.” And they are changed by going together to... Continue Reading
My Wife And I Are White Evangelicals. Here’s Why We Chose To Give Birth To Black Triplets
This past Sunday, my gorgeous wife – a white evangelical, like me — gave birth to our beautiful African-American triplet daughters whom we adopted as embryos.
This is not the way we planned it 12 years ago when we were dating and talking about adoption, but oh, how thankful we are for God blessing us with these sweet little ones He has placed in our care. I can remember a friend going through the adoption process telling me he had always... Continue Reading