How does a mother bear the loss of a child?  As one who is rooted firmly and completely in Christ, Janelle taught me this these days.  The pain is excruciating, and yet she has hope.  The despair seeks to overwhelm her, and yet she presses on.  She knows who she belongs to.  She knows who... Continue Reading

“During a 2007 sermon, Driscoll famously wished he could “go Old Testament” on a couple of elders. He also told the story about the fight trainer who kept his fighters in line by busting their noses. He did not disguise his anger at elders who disagreed with his direction during those messages. Those sermons are... Continue Reading

“In today’s arguments, the justices were divided along gender lines. If that holds, the businesses would win at some level with a 6-3 vote. Predicting the outcome of a Supreme Court case is folly, as the healthcare decision proved. But in the arguments, the male justices seemed on the side of the businesses’ right to... Continue Reading

“Patience is not only a part of the fruit of the spirit, but is also an invaluable asset to the pastor as he cares for these individuals in the church.  A lack of patience when ministering to the weaker in the congregation is not a confirmation they are not learning and growing, but an indictment on the pastor that... Continue Reading

“And God won’t forget to reward us. He sees every work, no matter how “insignificant” in our eyes, and records it for the last day. Not a single cup of water given to a disciple will go unrewarded. Not a single visit to a sick person, a piece of bread given a hungry one; not... Continue Reading

“While legal in Texas for more than two decades, Associate Judge Graciela Olvera of Dallas County’s 256th Family District Court removed the children in part because they were not using a state-approved home schooling curriculum, according to court records.”   For five months a family has been separated by a Dallas judge–not for abuse or... Continue Reading

“I have found myself thinking back to the many models of fatherhood I have seen and admired through the years. What made these fathers admirable? What set them apart? What was it that they said to their children? From these models I have drawn seven things a good father says.”   I think I may be... Continue Reading

“Many have come to the right understanding that the Old Testament is about Christ, but have perhaps not yet come to see that the Old Testament was written to Jesus–as the Old Covenant mediator, second Adam and Covenant-keeping, representative Israelite.”   In my last TCC post, I sought to introduce a subject that I realized would be... Continue Reading

“Did I think he was crazy? Yes,” said Prathima Ryali-Hancock, a member of Riverwood for 15 years and a friend of the family. “My daughter says he’s not right in the head for doing this, but we’re going to really miss the Lien family at Riverwood.”   The Rev. Tim Lien, pastor of Riverwood Presbyterian... Continue Reading

There’s another popular word that people say when they want permission to think freely: “Honestly,” or “Can I be honest?” Who answers no to that? “No, please no, by all means do NOT be honest!” Our speech has become like the over-protective childproofed home. There are plugs in the sockets, bumpers on every sharp corner, locks on... Continue Reading