“This first appeal of pornography is pathetic, in both the original and contemporary meanings of that term. The second appeal, grounded in the broken relationship with God, is much more sinister than sympathetic. The desire to be God is probably the most insidious human desire. (Augustine famously uncovered it in his teenage act of stealing... Continue Reading

“While it is obvious that there are many aspects of brain biochemistry that we cannot consciously control, there are many others that we can. The choices we make shape our physical bodies– including our brain structure and genes. This is most apparent in the cycle of addiction, wherein an addict’s brain is often demonstrably altered... Continue Reading

“Therefore Reformed friends, take it easy on our Christian brothers who call people to Christ after their prefered traditional manner. Cut them some slack and quit throwing the “Regulative Principle” in their face. Joshua called people to “choose this day whom they would serve.” Jeremiah called people to “circumcise themselves.” John the Baptist called people out... Continue Reading

“We have all been to those prayer meetings that are 90% requests and 10% prayer, or 20 minutes of teaching, 20 minutes of requests and 5 minutes of prayer. Too often prayer meetings are dominated not by prayer, but by talking about prayer. Lead the meeting in such a way that you get to prayer,... Continue Reading

“David is an example for us, because his own battle with Goliath teaches us to trust that no matter what difficulties confront us in life, the battle is the Lord’s, and He will save His people. With this assurance, we are equipped to confidently trust the Lord, and like David, to act boldly in light... Continue Reading

“The difference between World Vision’s approach to violence in Syria and Israel is so stark that it is impossible to believe that the people who run the organization from their offices in Federal Way, Washington do not see what is happening. People like Kevin Jenkins, the organization’s international president, simply do not get put in... Continue Reading

Though Brantly’s condition is still serious, and he remains in a high-tech isolation ward while he recovers, his remarkable comeback likely hinged on an experimental serum physicians administered while he was still in Liberia. (Samaritan’s Purse confirmed Brantly took the drug.)   (WNS)–When Kent Brantly arrived in the United States on Saturday [August 1, 2014],... Continue Reading

“In short, all of the objections our Baptist friends offer could also have been made against the inclusion of covenant children in the administration of the covenant of grace under Abraham. Nevertheless, God still saw fit to include children in the administration of the covenant of grace under Abraham. Thus, the real issue here is the nature... Continue Reading

“Many trace the Emergent movement’s beginning to 1989, which makes it 25 years old this year. In nearly three decades, it has lost much of its steam. Emergent’s critics argue that this is proof the leaders’ visions for Christianity were unsustainable. I decided to sit down with Brian McLaren–once considered to be something of a... Continue Reading

In 1967 she left teaching and research and moved to the Scottish Highlands, where she married John Murray on Dec. 7, 1967. Valerie and John had two children, Logan and Anne Margaret. John died in May, 1975, and Anne Margaret passed away following a severe asthma attack at age 4 in 1976. Valerie devoted herself... Continue Reading