The love that eternally flows between Father and Son becomes the pattern and source of our communion with God. “I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” Through Christ, we are drawn into that very fellowship.   A parishioner once introduced me to... Continue Reading

Isolation from the gathered church does not occur in neutral territory. It always pulls believers back toward exile patterns where faith thins and accountability fades. Christ calls His people out of Babylon and into assembly.   We have studies now. They arrive neatly packaged, peer-reviewed, and carefully worded. They tell us that people who attend... Continue Reading

I fear that many believers think of the blessing of God in the life and ministry of the church is something we pretend to experience. As a pastor, I have encouraged many discouraged people to spend time with the means of grace only to be met with a look that so clearly says, “I’ve been... Continue Reading

The Trinity is not an optional extra. It is not a theological hobby. It is the guardrail that keeps us worshiping the God who actually is, not the god we prefer. The Trinity is not a puzzle to solve, but a God to worship.   I love the Trinity. That is because I love God,... Continue Reading

When we obey God’s law, we will be most free to live as He has created us to live. To live disobeying Him only messes up our lives, maybe not immediately, but eventually. Our culture thinks freedom means doing whatever you please, but this leads to lawlessness.   We think of discipline in different ways.... Continue Reading

You said, “The dominant Christian theory is that I would wake up in heaven if I have a good life.” With respect, if someone told you this, that someone is wrong. It is of course not your fault if this is how Christianity has been presented to you. But it’s not Christianity.    Dear Scott,... Continue Reading

We cannot abandon our young men to these peddlers and charlatans. They need the church, and the church needs them, as we together grow “to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood” (Eph. 4:13).
   “Is there room for me in the church?” This is... Continue Reading

For us, sometimes it may be our sin that makes God seem distant, as well. We must confess it to Him, ask for forgiveness, and obey Him. Other times, He may seem distant because we fail to use the means He has given for fellowship with us.   Remember the story of Jonah? Commissioned by... Continue Reading

God is not playing games with us. He is not hiding the gospel behind academic gates. He is not teasing His people with a voice they cannot hear. Scripture is light, and light is meant to be seen. “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7). This matters because many... Continue Reading

The attitudes of worship see God’s perfections vividly—not just in the abstract, but relative to ourselves. And that has a way of compressing bitter thinking into a smaller and smaller space. For a while, at least, it can’t dominate. Pondering God’s supremacy relative to ourselves evokes humility. Pondering what He has done in that context... Continue Reading