“We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—God.” Here we have a hymn, called ancient when cited in the 4th century, that helped Christians all around the Mediterranean articulate the doctrine of the Trinity. We praise God—singular—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.   Hymns are a theological repository of the church. Through hymns... Continue Reading

Today, when we think of the term “hospitality,” our minds often drift to various images. The over-one-billion-dollar hospitality industry. The hospitality majors in college. The hospitality ministry in our churches. The after-service coffee and donuts in the fellowship hall or the coffee cart and barista in the church lobby.   How often, if we’re honest,... Continue Reading

Listen thoughtfully when someone is talking to you—be understanding and empathetic. You don’t need to have an answer for everyone’s problems. People need family and friends to stand with them and hold them up when they have trouble walking on their own (Eccles. 4:10).   It feels like we are “really doing something” when we... Continue Reading

Murderers and meddlers are in the same list with thieves and evildoers for a good reason: they both kill by taking what’s not theirs to take. In the end, though pretending to do good, they actually do evil.   My grandfather was known to grumble about the “do-gooders” and all the trouble they cause. They... Continue Reading

Comfort comes to those who mourn through the Holy Spirit, for it is the Spirit who enables us to be Christians. The Spirit convicts us of sin in order to lead us to repentance. The Holy Spirit comforts us by giving us strength to die to self on a daily basis.   As I walked... Continue Reading

Did he actually put to shame all the “principalities and powers?” Did Satan’s head actually get crushed? Did he truly receive all power and authority in heaven and earth such that he commands us to go and make disciples of every nation? If we really believe these things, then how are we using the tools... Continue Reading

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us... Continue Reading

Now most of these choices we make are about ordinary, everyday things. Things like eating and drinking. But the principle is that even in the most common areas of life we can do things to the glory of God.   The Westminster Shorter Catechism, in the very first lines, answers the question of the meaning... Continue Reading

How has such an identification with the serious sin of homosexuality become acceptable in Christ’s Bride?  How have we become so biblically ignorant of God’s Truth?  What other sin would believers permit that seeks to trump God’s Truth? His truth is holy and sacred; we dare not ignore God’s revelation.  We need to ensure that... Continue Reading

As we think about the covenant of grace and its totality of meaning and the kind of glory we participate in due to the promise of Christ it only encourages us to the duty that we affirmed in our yes vote to be a member and/or minister in His church, and the kind of life... Continue Reading