No greater words could be spoken to us by Jesus. “Your faith…” Not your works nor your worth. Not your parents nor your peers. Only humble, submissive faith in the work and worth of Jesus is what matters. “…has saved you…” Neither my emotions nor my circumstances can change It. No accusation from without or […]
Read MoreThey go together – “A wide door for effective ministry” and “many oppose me.” We expect one or the other, but the example of Paul’s ministry is that they go together. Opposition often feels like defeat. The mosquito stings of criticism feel like daggers of deceit. The natural fatigue that comes with a “wide door […]
Read MoreIn The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness (Crossway, 2012), Kevin DeYoung argues that working hard to be more like God in our moral character or “pursuing Godliness” is not legalism and antithetical to the gospel but rather a necessary expression of “gospel passion.” He rightly […]
Read More“Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2 This is the difficulty. Both sides of […]
Read MoreI know that many folks who are grieving and suffering this Christmas season were unable to attend our Service of Consolation. If that is you, let me offer this reflection as a word of encouragement… “We don’t know who discovered water, but it wasn’t the fish.” So goes the quote attributed to Marshall McLuhan. It […]
Read MoreRod Dreher, Live Not By Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents (2020) Author of the 2017 bestseller The Benedictine Option, journalist Rod Dreher sounds a similar note of alarm as he compares the current state of progressive ideology in politics and education combined with consumer capitalism to the surveillance state of Soviet communism. Drawing from compelling and sometimes […]
Read MoreIn Tim Keller’s incisive and illuminating way, he provides an accessible survey of the competing views of justice at work in our society, then critiques each in light of a biblical view of justice. He pays special attention to critical theory in light of its prominence in recent months. Tim Keller – A Biblical Critique […]
Read More“It is not good to eat too much honey or to seek glory after glory.” Proverbs 25:27 We are glory seekers by nature. We delight in our favorite team’s glory. We delight in our children and grandchildren’s glory. We even delight in our city, state, or nation’s glory. Like the sweetness of honey on our […]
Read More“Am I a God who is only near” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and not a God who is far away? Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” — the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” — the Lord’s declaration.” Immanence…the Lord is near. Transcendence…the Lord is far […]
Read More“As for you, do not pray for these people. Do not offer a cry or a prayer on their behalf, and do not beg me, for I will not listen to you.” – Jeremiah 7:16 Three times. Three times God tells Jeremiah not to pray for his nation because their rebellion and rejection of God’s rightful rule and their wickedness […]
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Think These Things 