There are times when we can say, “Now, Lord, we can sympathize with you better than we ever did before, for we have felt somewhat as you did in your agony here below.” We have sometimes felt as though that prophecy had been fulfilled to us, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized... Continue Reading

A generation inherits the word “Christian” with none of the weight, catechized by the feed instead of the faith, because we assumed one hour on Sunday could hold its own against ten thousand hours of formation pointed the other way. The culture is not waiting for our permission to disciple our children. It is already... Continue Reading

The wisest man who ever lived still fell when there was too little back pressure and too few consequences. Suffering, by contrast, often breaks the illusion. It reminds us that we are fragile. It exposes false gods. It strips away pride. It teaches compassion. It forces questions we would rather avoid: Who am I? Why... Continue Reading

 I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me. For I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person (Colossians 1:29-2:1).     There’s an interesting phrase that appears in Colossians 1. Perhaps “interesting”... Continue Reading

This means we want our lives, wherever we are and whatever we do, to glorify God. Ultimately, we serve Jesus Christ (Colossians 3: 17, 23, 24). Sometimes feeling like I don’t know where I’m going, dealing with discouragement and doubts, I remember that even though things may not be making sense to me, they make... Continue Reading

The religion of most people consists in abstaining from sins they secretly love. Negative godliness is common; it is supposed by most that our religion consists in things we must do rather than pleasures we enjoy. (Spurgeon) What they do not realize is that genuinely abiding in Christ, drawing near and remaining near affords the... Continue Reading

How do God’s children live in a world that dishonors him? Fathers are the leaders of their families. As such, they are charged to prepare them for adulthood. By leading them in obedience to God’s law, fathers prepare them to glorify God.  Christian families should look different from the families of the world, and not... Continue Reading

Sometimes our labor is preventing things from becoming far worse than they otherwise would be. At other times, the fruit of our work may not become visible until years later, perhaps even in the next generation.     Sometimes, as pastors—or as parents—we wonder whether what we are doing is making any difference at all.... Continue Reading

The problem in the garden was not curiosity, or even theorizing, it was not the seeking after truth, it was doubting God’s goodness and rightful authority. It was forgetting that he is truth.   We all carry within us a longing for the garden, for a life of both freedom and connection. In Eden, there... Continue Reading

God is a goal setting and plan making God. We are made in His image and we can do the same. That doesn’t mean what we come up with will be perfect like His, or that our plans will happen; but often it will be part of the means to discover more about where we... Continue Reading