A Collection of Random Thoughts on Christian Living
I hope there’s something here that is helpful to you.
Perhaps the best gift you can bring to God is not a list of good deeds, but evidence of a character that has become transformed to the image of Jesus Christ. The deeds will follow the character. Not every thought makes a good article and sometimes an entire article can be distilled down to... Continue Reading
At Last, the King: Handel’s Messiah Sections 18-21
Everything must be seen in light of this reality—the King has come and he is coming back!
Christmas is the most wonderful time of year because it points us to the first and second advents of the King. It reminds us that peace on earth is not an empty slogan, but a purchased reality brought by the Shepherd King. We sing and rejoice because Christ came, he died, he rose again, he ascended... Continue Reading
Euthanasia Is Now the Fifth Leading Cause of Death in Canada
It should not come as a surprise that giving people a quick—and final—way to escape from their pain and distress has been abused.
If you’ve ever walked with someone through a losing battle with cancer or been around a person whose mind, for all practical purposes, died long before their body, the idea of sparing them from that fate can seem merciful. On some level, maybe it is. But the Bible teaches that—with few exceptions—when a life ends is up... Continue Reading
The Axe is Laid at the Root of the Tree
Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down for firewood.
Will we turn ourselves towards God and his Kingdom, knowing that we cannot help ourselves but desperately need the Christ to change the world and our hearts? Because the axe is laid at the root of the tree that does not bear good fruit. I wonder if you’ve ever cut down a tree? I’ve... Continue Reading
Michigan Church Votes to Exit EPC
The 500-member church expressed growing concern that the EPC seems to be pursuing cultural relevance and social justice rather than the Gospel.
Established in 1903, First Presbyterian Trenton was one of the founding churches that formed the EPC 44 years ago….Despite this long and historic connection, the congregation reached a point where they were no longer in “theological alignment” with the EPC. Concerned by “theological progressive leaning” within the EPC, one of the largest churches in... Continue Reading
Finding Jesus in Ruth (Ruth 3)
We are helpless outsiders until Jesus, our divine Redeemer, pays the price to give us new life and his love.
Boaz points us to Christ’s compassion and generosity. Just as Boaz extended kindness and protection to Ruth, a foreign outcast, Jesus offers His grace to all who are spiritually destitute. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth from her destitution, Jesus redeems believers from their spiritual poverty and makes them his own. The story of Ruth... Continue Reading
Examining a Favourite Christian Punchline: God Willing
When we say “God willing” we are surrendering ourselves fully to the sovereign will and rule of God.
Believers use the expression “God willing” appropriately when they know and trust in the character of God. They acknowledge that God is the one who meticulously ordains all that comes to pass and whose plans cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2). Kenya is considered a Christian country. Most people acknowledge the existence of God and... Continue Reading
Celebrating Christmas, B.B. Warfield
A summary of the development of Christmas practices over the centuries.
“…no other Christian festival has so intimately wedded itself with the family life and the life of the people as Christmas. Nevertheless, for more than three hundred years the Church got along entirely without it.” In the book review that follows, B. B. Warfield summarizes the development of Christmas practices over the centuries and... Continue Reading
The Face in the Mirror
When it comes to owning our sins, we are quick to look everywhere else.
Recognize that you are your own worst enemy. If you can acknowledge this truth, you’ll make greater progress in your growth in grace. As a pastor I regularly listened to people give all sorts of reasons and excuses for their sinful conduct. As a parent, I have listened to my children blame everyone else... Continue Reading
Learning and Doing in Times of Crisis
Carrying on in difficult times.
The great Christian apologist, author, and lecturer, C. S. Lewis, wrote during periods of hardship and upheaval, especially during the Second World War and the onset of the atomic age and the Cold War. He had to learn how to deal with changing circumstances, and he sought to convey some keys truths on this to... Continue Reading