Talk about their loved one. Don’t pretend that nothing is wrong….Grief is nothing to ignore or fear. When we don’t talk to people about their loved one who died, we make them feel lonely and out in the cold.   I experienced profound grief when my mother died when I was in my twenties. She... Continue Reading

This is what is means to live without Jesus: we live in ways that are driven by lust, by selfishness, and by greed. That is how all of us have lived at some point. Yet, because of Jesus, we are in a new place, we have a new identity, and the old way of living... Continue Reading

Worship According to the Word makes a huge difference in the life of every church. This difference will be clearly seen in the health of the church and its impact on the world.   “Be sure you make it according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40; 26:30; Hebrews 8:5) Introduction A... Continue Reading

Plant the truth that needs to be said, and let it take root in the mind, sprout in the heart, and then produce fruit from the hands. Gospel change looks to the process of being conformed to the truth, not forced into a mold.   Our Struggle with Progress I’m coming up on two years... Continue Reading

Singing hymns throughout my life has reminded me of biblical truths and helped them sink deep. It has lifted my heart in worship to God. It has connected me to a long line of brothers and sisters who wrote and sang these same theological truths together centuries before me.    In the Presbyterian church I... Continue Reading

As a mini-cosmos, the tabernacle enabled God to live among his people. But what happens when that mini-cosmos becomes defiled by sin and death? The remedy was the Day of Atonement ceremony, as the blood of sacrifice cleansed both God’s house and his people.   The Lord God created the first couple, Adam and Eve,... Continue Reading

Somewhat ironically, in shooting for sensational worship, Evangelicalism tends to miss the ordinary Christian life. In short, being “on fire for Jesus” is different than dying to self and living unto God. The truth is, fires eventually burn out.    Reformed theology and practice entails many different attitudes, beliefs and practices relative to Evangelicalism. In that respect the two... Continue Reading

It is all too easy to become silent, insecure, and discontent in the midst of such sin and suffering. But God has a better solution. “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8).    Each day you and I awake to... Continue Reading

[We must not] rely on our own logic, wisdom, or words, but on the power of God’s Word. He alone holds the power of salvation. Yet He delights to work through His Word as it is spoken through His people. If God wants a man to hear the gospel, then that man is going to... Continue Reading

Our churches and denominations are at a crossroads. We must decide if we will stand on sound doctrine and biblical belief and practice or entertain those who would subvert, undermine, and destroy.   In October, I published an article titled Sons of Charlatanry. This came on the heels of the announcement that Peter Bell was... Continue Reading