Biological and nuclear families are indeed significant and a gift designed by God. However, Christians also believe that God establishes an eternal family only between those who are born spiritually through faith in Jesus Christ. He identifies these people as his children, guiding us through his Word regarding life together as siblings in the household... Continue Reading

There are many who often affix the phrase, “The Holy Spirit led me to,” upon their decisions and decision making. Perhaps that may seem like the easier way to discern things in life. But, isn’t that subjective and experientially based? What does it mean that the Spirit led them? What did the Holy Spirit do to lead them? How... Continue Reading

Our hearts revolt against infanticide. It strikes us as the most callous of crimes. But while the wholesale slaughter of baby boys would certainly have distressed first-century hearers, infanticide itself was broadly accepted.   It’s easy to sentimentalize the Christmas story. A newborn babe, angelic songs, a guiding star — the scene lights up our... Continue Reading

Some suggest that Abraham did not believe that God would make him go through with sacrifice of Isaac, but there is nothing in the text that suggests that. Rather, Abraham seems to simply trust that God will provide. God had provided all these years. He had proven Himself faithful even when Abraham and Sarah were... Continue Reading

I have never started cooking with the thought, “How far can I go in burning my meal before I need to pull that fire extinguisher out?” Never, not even once, have I started sautéing my vegetables and thought, “I’m just going to leave these here on high, because if they go up in flames, I’ve... Continue Reading

God has truly revealed to us what we need to know, love, and serve him faithfully (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We can then be confident that what he has emphasized we should emphasize. And, what he has not, we should not.    One of the hidden gems of pastoral ministry is watching God turn the lights... Continue Reading

In previous days at least two letters were released to that congregation (and circulated around the world) from their under-shepherds. One was written by an elder shortly before he was arrested titled “How the Church Should Face Persecution.” The other, is from the pastor and is titled “My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience.” Both of these... Continue Reading

The term “pro-life” brings to mind two things for most folks today: Abortion and politics. But being pro-life goes far beyond mobile sonogram clinics and Capitol Hill. It’s about being pro-life like God is pro-life.   I first saw the movie The Fugitive in 1993. It’s a story about Dr. Richard Kimball (Harrison Ford), who is framed... Continue Reading

It is easy to impress upon people the value of prayers in the home that pertain most directly to the needs of a particular individual or family.  Every Christian knows this is true from his or her own experience.  But what is the value of prayer within the setting of the local church as it... Continue Reading

We cannot remain in the luminous ether of God’s infinite plentitude, but we don’t need to because in the revelation of Jesus Christ all the fullness of God is pleased to dwell. When no one could see God and live, the incarnate Son made God known. Christ makes all the theological abstractions concrete; he brings... Continue Reading