Progressives, who have now progressed to the point of insanity and insisting that two plus two equals five, are now calling for the burning of Rowling’s books, because there’s an evil witch involved in them after all—JK Rowling herself! And what witchery is Rowling guilty of that is so Salemesque to result in the call... Continue Reading

Biblically speaking, my thoughts are like my eyes: I may not be able to entirely control everything they see, but I can certainly control whether they continue to look. Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God (1 Chri. 22:19). If I can set my mind on something, I can certainly... Continue Reading

Newton was a diligent writer and wrote voluminously. His letters capture a depth of the gospel, an awareness of the human heart, a compassion for the souls of family and friends, and an insatiable desire to keep his heart and mind on Jesus. What follows are some brief statements taken from some of his letters.... Continue Reading

Where does Christ fit in your affections, thinking, and behavior? How often do you reflect on Christ and the Gospel? Would you say you are more or less in love with Christ than the beginning of last year?   As this year closes and we look forward to the next, there are four questions that... Continue Reading

Israel was under Roman rule on account of their former rebellion against God. When Christ was born, He submitted Himself to the consequences of Israel’s sin, in the same way that He—though He knew no sin—identified with Israel in undergoing a baptism of repentance for Israel’s sin.   “When the fullness of time had come,... Continue Reading

We may find ourselves in circumstances that are vastly different from those in which Doeg found himself—and yet, we must recognize that we have the propensity to be just like Doeg. We, no less than Doeg, descended from Adam. The propensity of all those descended from Adam is to seek first our own kingdom.  ... Continue Reading

True sacraments…being for the Church as a whole, are limited to “only two sacraments”–Baptism for entrance into the Church, and the Supper for edification amidst the Church, the first portraying union with Christ and the second communion with Christ.   An African proverb says in part, ‘Speak softly, and carry a big stick…’ American President... Continue Reading

Fresh air is not fresh grace, but the former helps one in seeking the latter. Often they mysteriously partner. Creation and redemption singing together.   I stand alone in the quietness of the pine grove. The hills around this valley setting bring a welcome halt to the noisiness of life from the ridges above. Any... Continue Reading

A right understanding of the church is vitally important in church planting. Church plants have no history in and of themselves. There are no traditions, no systems, no prior discussions about why we should do something in a particular way. Church plants attract certain leaders and certain members because of these very characteristics. This can... Continue Reading

My list is not exhaustive but, as we head into 2020, I see seven major trends developing. They are likely to change the landscape of churches in the next few years.   Offering trends are a worthless exercise if they have no connection to reality. For over 15 years, I have suggested trends in churches... Continue Reading