When our church was in the midst of a building project, our architect tried to explain to me that beauty costs. We see that in the world of art, and even in the clothes we wear. People are willing to pay more for quality. You get what you pay for, and there is an intrinsic... Continue Reading

People who are insecure and/or anxious about the things they (think) they believe in, are easy prey to a “party spirit”–and the reason, is because, they fear losing their “idols,” whatever they may be.  Only those who, by grace alone, are firmly rooted in and secure in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are... Continue Reading

Christian love would oblige us to hold off from urging one another over the points of difference. Some try vehemently to get others to comply with them, either by flattery or by threats. Would love let me violate someone else’s conscience in any way? The love I bear to a fellow-Christian, if it is true,... Continue Reading

As Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Cor. 3:7–8).   The first summer in this house, my mom and I dug our hands into the small garden between the front and... Continue Reading

The principle is simple: generosity invites generosity. In marriage, a spirit of giving tends to awaken the same spirit in your spouse.   A gospel follow-up to “Grace and Mercy in Marriage” Marriage is often tested by the subtle pull of self-focus. Even among Christian couples who love the Lord, the gravitational force of “what... Continue Reading

When Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana, he was doing more than helping out a party that had run dry.   Historical and Theological Background At a Jewish wedding in the first century, the wine was the groom’s responsibility. One New Testament scholar wrote, “Weddings lasted seven days, and hosts invited... Continue Reading

In this age of social media, I’ve seen Bible-believing, Christ-centered people post thoughts online only to receive a string of hypercritical responses from people who wield Scripture verses like pickaxes, swiftly condemning the slightest hint of a viewpoint they consider suspicious. If I were an unbeliever reading such responses, I certainly wouldn’t be drawn to... Continue Reading

When materialism seems to be turned up louder than usual in your life, the faith of others can raise the volume on what is true. When life feels empty, the faith of others can help fill you.   All you need is a personal relationship with Jesus…well, sort of. Have you ever heard someone say,... Continue Reading

Children will often get angry and respond poorly when they’re corrected. This is to be expected. Yet we need to be willing to acknowledge that sometimes that anger is at least partially our fault. We need to swallow our pride and model for our children what we’ve been teaching them abstractly—that we are all sinners... Continue Reading

Media doesn’t inform anymore. It forms. It shapes fears, loyalties, enemies, and desires. Jesus confronted the father of lies: “When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 ESV). A people fed through deception will eventually lose the ability to discern anything... Continue Reading