Pick up the Bible. Devote yourself to a lifetime of reading and studying. Piggyback off the efforts of brilliant scholars. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help. Listen to good preaching. Keep making connections and keep digging. Fill your mind with wonder not only at the beauty of Scripture but at the greatness of our God.... Continue Reading

What we [elders] do outside the formal time together matters, some elderships meet for a meal before they meet formally. Others plan retreats or walking days or something else that will grow relationship and enable care and pastoral support of one another. It is something we skip at our peril.   From Acts 20 we... Continue Reading

The apostle Paul tells us that the peace of God surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7). In other words, this peace is not some psychological mechanism, but rather supernaturally comes from God. It is not some Eastern meditation ritual where one can rid all of the anxiety from their mind. As the world tries to manufacture... Continue Reading

Repent of the whisper that says your problems are too big for Him. Repent of the idol that fear has become. Do not bow to that counterfeit deity one more second. The wrath that fell on Old Jerusalem was real, and it was deserved. But for all who trust in Christ—our True and Better hope... Continue Reading

When serious Christians think about and pray about world events–be they in the Middle East or elsewhere–our primary concern should always be for the children of God in the midst of those events.  It is also good and proper for us to be concerned about the unbelievers in all the lands on earth–but the church... Continue Reading

I miss my brother. I wish I had more time. I wish I had more grace when I did have time. I wish I could remember more. And I hold on to the hope that I’ll see him again—not because he lived a perfect life, but because Jesus died for imperfect brothers like him—and like... Continue Reading

The point of the New Testament teaching about grace is not to make us anxious but precisely the opposite, which means that if it is causing concern, we’ve probably misunderstood it. We are meant to be reassured…You were chosen in Christ from before the foundation of the world, and secure in him you stand. Your... Continue Reading

If you’re stuck in the cycle—numbing, escaping, hiding—I’m not condemning you. But I am calling you out. You weren’t made to float through life half-alive. You were made to build, lead, protect, and glorify God. It starts with clarity. It continues with courage. And it requires repentance.   I walked into a gas station. The... Continue Reading

In moments of doubt a Christian may say, “I don’t obey as I should, doubt.” And that most certainly will be true of anyone at times. But Romans 8:16 says, “we are children of God.” (emphasis mine). Yes, the Heavenly Father corrects sin. But He does so because He desires that His children would turn... Continue Reading

When chaos and violence seem to rise faster and higher than the evening tide, we are invited to put our faith in a work that, though hidden, is still unfolding in our days, right in our midst. This is the surest and steadiest hope we can cling to in times of grief and disaster—namely, a... Continue Reading