On average, kids are spending more than 16 hours each week in sports. Practices, games, and tournaments are eating up a large portion of a family’s time together. And when stressed and overbooked families are looking at their weekly schedules, it is often Sunday worship and midweek church activities that don’t make the cut.  ... Continue Reading

A few years ago it always seemed simple to find a few consensus picks. Recently, though, it has become far more difficult. So while I scour as many lists as ever, it is rare for a single book to appear on more than a handful of them. With that in mind, here are the ones... Continue Reading

An image of a baby lying in a rented hay box is so far removed from the world’s view of success that it can only come from another place, and mean something completely different.   Imagine for a moment that there is nothing of worth in this world, as worth has no intrinsic meaning. Each... Continue Reading

As the Author and Perfecter of our faith, the Lord “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Let us, in imitation of our God, live a life of joy no matter the strife... Continue Reading

The Psalms have always been sung by God’s people. Therefore, when we sing them, we are uniting with God’s people over the earth and over the ages. Even though the languages are different, God’s people from Lusaka to Chennai to Sydney sing Psalms together. In doing so, we are united with all who’ve gone before... Continue Reading

Because of his claim on truth, Jesus will be a stumbling block to many in this generation, but let’s not add extra, unnecessary offense—Jesus’ radical offer of undeserved grace is offensive enough. Though the truth may appear restrictive to bespoke spiritualists, this truth can set them free, as it has us (John 8:32).   During... Continue Reading

“We thank God for Joni and Friends Missouri—and the donors that make their programs come to life. You truly do hold us up when our strength is all but gone. Thank you, from the bottom of our weary souls, for being the hands and feet of Jesus—for loving your neighbors and helping us get through... Continue Reading

The marriage of the Bible’s arc of Messiah’s storyline and musical scores worthy of such a narrative sweeps us up to exalt our sovereign God who triumphs through Christ Jesus to reign eternally over all. The profound worship of the Lord Christ, spanning nearly three hours, is an extraordinary experience.   As we have seen... Continue Reading

Paul had known the Christian movement from its beginning; first from the outside, as one of the chief agents in its persecution, and then from the inside, as the most active leader of its propaganda [note: the term did not yet have the negative connotation it does now]. He was familiarly acquainted with the Apostles... Continue Reading

Following the ascension of Christ in Section 33 [of “Messiah,”] which cites Psalm 24:7–10, [the following] sections outline the effect of Christ’s exaltation to heaven. This impact begins in heaven, but flows downhill, if you will, to impact all creation. On earth, the Messiah is bringing his kingdom by way of his Spirit and his Word... Continue Reading