As a former student pastor I know how important it is to teach students in a way that helps them realize that the faith, the Scripture, and our God is for them and for them tomorrow – not just for them in the future. This is true for big people too! Yes, we must teach... Continue Reading

We should be clear that mean-spirited, ungentle behaviour does not match the biblical idiom for how we ought to treat our opponents. Certainly, Paul warns his congregations with strong words. Yet as a general pattern, when he advised direct interaction with opponents, he instructs us to be gentle. The reason for our strong language against... Continue Reading

Perhaps you sing of God’s unfailing love on a Sunday morning. But three days later—or maybe three hours later— you are grumbling. Think of all the things that God has done for you. Think of all he has promised to you. But think, too, how easily you lose a sense of perspective. Think how much... Continue Reading

Abraham was 100 years of age when the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. She bore a son to Abraham (Gen 21:2). In my life, waiting on the Lord has often times not been very different. I pray about a situation and wait for an answer from God. But my impatience gets the... Continue Reading

Christian charity demonstrates that salvation has revived in us a God-like, holistic concern for the hurting. Works of mercy create an environment in which to communicate the gospel’s invitation to become entirely new people. As Christians provide clothes for the naked and food for the hungry, so God provides forgiveness for sins, heaven for hell,... Continue Reading

The pastor seemed to teach that God dropped the promise into Abraham. I was genuinely confused with what he was saying. The sermon then rehearsed Abraham’s stumbling along the way, as the next “Off-Roading Observation” called us to live our lives out-loud. As I was trying to figure out what he meant by this, all... Continue Reading

You will enter the pulpit ministry with the idea that so long as you study hard and prepare to feed the sheep each week faithfully from God’s Word that they will be satisfied—only to learn that they aren’t satisfied due to their selfish cravings. You’ll learn that people will disappoint you, betray you, make false... Continue Reading

Whatever possessions we “own” are given by God for us to steward for others’ good and His glory. Whatever possessions God has entrusted to us, how can we use them to serve others? Can we regularly loan a car to a carless newly married couple? Can we let a missionary family stay in our home... Continue Reading

I think it was Cornelius Van Til who saw Karl Barth’s problem as being, in part, that he used the language of orthodoxy but to mean something that was far from orthodox.  Whether that is a fair characterization of Barth is beyond the scope of this blog; but Van Til’s point would seem to have potential... Continue Reading

Have you ever known someone who wasted his life? How many Christians waste their knowledge? Perhaps out of timidity and fear of man, they hide their light under a basket. Consider the fact that many people join the right churches, read the right books, and attend the right conferences—but seem to lack zeal.   Unless... Continue Reading