God Battles ‘Straight Outta Compton’ For African-Americans’ Souls
How did we go from “Straight Outta Compton” to the “War Room”?
“If the church is the American institution that has the power to save marriages, why isn’t the black community in better shape? Why, given that members of black churches have the highest rates of church attendance and proclaim some of the highest levels of belief, are the marriage rates among the lowest?” How did... Continue Reading
I Am An Old-Fashioned Christian
I believe in the God of the Bible. I believe in a God who is one, yet three.
“I believe in sin. I believe that Eve conversed with a talking serpent and that her act of rebellion and the sin of her husband was as simple as taking a bite of an especially meaningful piece of fruit. This is not metaphor or fable, but just what happened. Because of that sin, I believe... Continue Reading
Undeserved Favor, Unfathomable Sin, Unconditional Love, and Uncomfortable Discipline
God promises unconditional love and uncomfortable discipline to those who are his children
We stand complete “In Christ Alone.” Let us see God’s unconditional love in the preacher who confronts our sin. Let us see God’s unconditional love in the Spirit who troubles our breast. And let us, again, respond to the unconditional love of God with a hearty prayer of repentance. David was the recipient of... Continue Reading
“God Made All of Me”
It’s one of the greatest fears for a parent — that their child will become a victim of sexual abuse
“The book is for two to eight year old boys and girls. We wrote it because we have two young children and know that parents need tools to help them address body parts with their kids and to help them understand the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touch.” It’s perhaps one of the greatest fears... Continue Reading
Faithfulness In Small Places
My ministry and my talents aren't impressive, but I'm called to be faithful with what He's given me
“As I speak in other churches, I find few that are impressive. Again, the people are great, and the ministry significant, but it always seems that things are humble, and that the real action is taking place elsewhere. It’s tempting to wish that we were there, rather than in the small, humble places where we... Continue Reading
Five Temptations for Classical Christian Education
Creating a truly gracious classroom is much harder than creating an orderly classroom
“The first temptation is to overemphasize mistaken notions of success. The bigger our schools grow, the more respected a faculty we attract, the better we implement a Trivium-based curriculum, and the more accomplished our graduates become, the more we will be tempted to slip into something of a prep school mentality.” Having taught at... Continue Reading
Tough Love for the Black Church
There’s a battle for the soul of the black church, and the visions for her future are not compatible
I want to see all churches become as healthy and vigorous as possible–especially African American churches. The Lord has given me something of Paul’s longing for his “kinsmen according to the flesh” (Rom. 9:3, ESV). I want to see African Americans brought into God’s kingdom in as great a number as possible. For that to... Continue Reading
PCA Minister William B. Leonard, Jr., 98, Called Home to Glory
Bill Leonard served in a number of successive Presbyterian denominations, known as the alphabet soup of churches: BPC, EPC, RPCES, and PCA.
Colorado Springs is where Leonard founded two churches. In 1953, after leaving active duty at the end of the Korean War, where he served as a Navy Chaplain, he planted Grace Presbyterian Church. Twenty years later, in 1972, he was the organizing pastor of Village Seven Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Helen developed exciting... Continue Reading
The Cross Illuminates God’s Attributes
The cross of the Jesus is indeed the supreme demonstration of the divine attributes.
Stand with me in the shadow of the cross and see God’s attributes perfectly illuminated. Tremble at his holiness in the demands of his sacrifice, be convicted and comforted by the unfathomable love that demanded and accomplished Calvary, feel you knees knock as you behold the gasping Son drink dry the eternal vat of condemnation... Continue Reading
Preparation for Hearing the Word of God Preached
This list came from a summary of a sermon by Pastor Al Martin.
O God, believing that it is Your own living Word which I am about to hear, I repent of all that would hinder my hearing and receiving Your Word. I ask You to give me a meek and eager heart to receive Your Word and that the Holy Spirit will enable me to understand its... Continue Reading