“We have been adopted by the Lord as children with this understanding—that in our lives we should mirror Christ who is the bond of our adoption. And truly, unless we are devoted—even addicted—to righteousness, we will faithlessly abandon our Creator and disown Him as our Savior.”   There are two main parts to the instruction from... Continue Reading

“Healthy churches and healthy believers treasure deacons as invaluable servants of God, Christ’s official ministers of mercy. They help exposit the kindness of God, strengthen the communion of the saints, and preserve the fiscal integrity of the church. It is important for us to retain or, if need be, recover a biblical view of the... Continue Reading

The sufficiency of Scripture rests in the fact that it alone can provide man with the knowledge needed to be reconciled to God.  The Westminster Confession of Faith puts it this way, “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down... Continue Reading

We have to remember that God’s timing is not our timing, that his timing is perfect. That when he says “No” to something or “Wait”, he has reasons based in his love for us, even if we don’t understand them.   But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were... Continue Reading

Gosnell ran a Philadelphia abortion clinic that specialized in low-income and immigrant clientele. Over twenty years he carried out countless thousands of abortions but did so in conditions that were nothing short of appalling.   The grand jury report is as startling, as nauseating as any you’ll ever read. “This case is about a doctor... Continue Reading

“Ministering to men and women who are victims of sexual abuse can be tricky; there are several common mistakes that pastors make. By being aware of these pitfalls, you can be better prepared the next time an incident arises within your church.”   When individuals tell you, Pastor, that they were sexually abused or raped,... Continue Reading

“It has been interesting to hear how people express themselves when death comes. Words fail. Some try to force words, attempting to manufacture something that will fix the mess or soothe the pain. Religious platitudes abound. I know the words are well-intended, but they rarely help. Simply being present is helpful.”   I started along... Continue Reading

“The florist, Barronelle Stutzman, had served the gay customers, Robert Ingersoll and Curt Freed, many times over a number of years, including by providing flowers for birthdays and other personal events; she objected only to providing flowers for their wedding.”   On Feb. 16, Washington’s state Supreme Court affirmed a lower court’s judgment that the... Continue Reading

“Each party has to wrestle with what America’s demographic changes mean for its future, including the growing share of non-white citizens and the aging of the white generation that was once more involved in religious and civic life, if only by default.”   In 2016, 57 percent of white Americans who voted chose Donald Trump... Continue Reading

Twice when the invitation was given at the close of the service, she went forward, seeking peace from her inner spiritual struggles, but found none. Finally on November 20 she went to the altar alone. As she prayed, the congregation began to sing Isaac Watts’ grand old hymn, “Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed?”  ... Continue Reading