Christianity’s extinction in Syria would also mark the loss of a vital bridge between East and West. Syriac Christianity provides unique access into the mind, culture and worldview native to Christ and the Apostles, and thus shaped the theology of the early church and connected the Western tradition with its Semitic roots. Its loss would... Continue Reading

In like fashion, repentance is also an active choice of the will. There are times, many times, when it feels easy to love. By contrast, we never feel like repenting. If we waited for our feelings to align in order to repent of sin in our marriage against God and our spouse, I fear we... Continue Reading

The Kingdom of God isn’t multi-layered the way most feudal systems are. There aren’t lots of levels, with local rulers lording it over their subjects, bigger rulers lording it over the local ones, and kings lording it over the bigger rulers.   Luke 22:24–30 (NIV) A dispute also arose among them as to which of... Continue Reading

Not until suffering strips away sentiment and makes you long for a God who isn’t reacting, but reigning. Not scrambling for answers, but already working redemption. Because suffering burns off the excess. It peels back the polished and leaves only what’s real. And what’s real must be true. Suffering doesn’t just refine. It reveals.  ... Continue Reading

Your calendar may be full. Your phone may be buzzing. But one day—sooner than you think—it will all stop. And you’ll stand before Christ. Don’t waste your life chasing approval, avoiding truth, or delaying obedience.   I’m not writing this as a theologian in a study. I’m writing this as a man who’s closer to... Continue Reading

The shepherding model finds its perfect example, its ongoing strength, and its eternal security in the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, “who lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).   When my son was in kindergarten, he brought home a biographical sketch he had completed at school. It included a self-portrait and... Continue Reading

To be strengthened in God does not mean to receive food or money or weapons from above, but words of God’s promise.…David remembers and meditates on the words of God till his soul finds fresh courage in them.   David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter... Continue Reading

There are times when giving everything you’ve got is exactly what is needed. So go for it. Give, and rest, and then give some more. There’s a joy in spending your strength for others that you can’t get anywhere else. There is a time to save your strength—so that you can spend it more effectively... Continue Reading

Letting go doesn’t mean that everything the other person did was right. Sometimes, however, there’s a greater right than being right. The offender might not deserve our forgiveness, but, of course, neither did we deserve forgiveness.   This post addresses a problem that is common to all of us. It seems to be part of... Continue Reading

I had been exposed to Reformed theology through Grace to You and Ligonier ministries, and I was wholly embracing the concept of a high view of the sovereignty of God.  Should I take advantage of the scholarship offer and attend Asbury, knowing my growing convictions would be out of line?  That set up a heavy... Continue Reading