God is good to extend the blessings and benefits of friendship so it is not just a one-to-one relationship but one that broadens until two families and two circles of relationship have been joined together and fused by a shared love.   There are few blessings in life better than a good friendship. Though most... Continue Reading

The Christian life is not a coat of paint on an old heart but a death and a resurrection, in which we are crucified with Christ and raised to live by His life (Galatians 2:20), and in which the cross does not only pardon the murderer but also puts to death the enmity that made... Continue Reading

Let us not settle for a monochrome understanding of the cross, but let us proclaim to ourselves and to an unbelieving world, the scandal and glory of the cross in all its glorious technicolour.    Introduction1 Birthdays, anniversaries and annual lectures are good opportunities for reflection and taking stock, for looking back and looking forward, maybe even for painful soul-searching. I am both honoured and humbled that the Trustees... Continue Reading

Paul is reminding us that we should rejoice in suffering because suffering liberates us from selfish hopes and foolish treasures. Suffering refines our character to build in us a durable strength that has the capacity to love and treasure the glory of God more than whatever else might tempt us.   When we suffer, we... Continue Reading

Many in the EPC are raising the alarm about the preliminary report from the Ad Interim Committee (AIC) on same sex attraction (SSA) and ordination is that some parts of the report are simply inconsistent with the Scriptures and the Westminster Standards. There must be some motivation driving the convoluted preliminary report which is solidly... Continue Reading

Those who live for the praise of men will actually find themselves despised by men. These will be men without conviction or direction but blown about by every wind of human opinion.  Such men will be of no help to others.   Charles Spurgeon’s popularity as a young preacher was unmatched. The congregation at the... Continue Reading

No nations are exempt from the purpose and working of the Lord: “The Lord is angry with all nations; his wrath is upon all their armies” (Is. 34:2)….The same is true for political rulers; God holds their destinies, including their rise and fall, in his hands: “He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers... Continue Reading

The feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle outside of the resurrection of Jesus, to be recorded in all four gospels. Given the magnitude, it would have driven a comparison to the feeding of the Israelites in the desert with the miraculous manna.   The Withdrawal The disciples were fresh from their latest “mission”... Continue Reading

Though the method of our warfare is different, we should see the connection between Israel inheriting the land under David, and the church inheriting the nations through the preaching of the gospel. As we proclaim this good news under our king, we plead the promises of God for the nations to be given to his... Continue Reading

We need to guard against the notion that church is something we go to. Church, biblical church, is something Christians are. It is true that the church gathers to be built up, but the church is just as much the church when it scatters to bless.   One of my geeky hobbies is going to... Continue Reading