Should the Church Do Counseling?
The church must speak and demonstrate the power of the Gospel as it addresses issues endemic to the human condition
When a church commits to counsel people, they are saying that they are willing to get down in the trenches of daily life and love people with the redemptive compassion of the Incarnate One. They are saying that good preaching, as important as it is, is just the beginning of ministry of the Word not... Continue Reading
PCA Ruling Elder Stephen M. Fox Called Home to Glory
Fox was long time member and Ruling Elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Montgomery, Alabama
Stephen Michael Fox, 74, long time member and Ruling Elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Montgomery, Alabama, died Tuesday morning, February 4, 2014, of an apparent heart attack. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Fox was the owner of Walker Printing Company for many years. Fox not only served as an elder at... Continue Reading
Bill Nye’s Reasonable Man—The Central Worldview Clash of the Ham-Nye Debate
The central question of the debate was this: “Is creation a viable model of origins in today’s modern scientific era?”
The central issue last night was really not the age of the earth or the claims of modern science. The question was not really about the ark or sediment layers or fossils. It was about the central worldview clash of our times, and of any time: the clash between the worldview of the self-declared “reasonable... Continue Reading
Women Reject Abortion at Highest Rate Since 1973
Between 2008 and 2011, the abortion rate fell 13 percent
National Right to Life President Carol Tobias said in a statement the report “shows the long-term efforts of the right-to-life movement to educate the country about the humanity of the unborn child,” but ignores the impact public debate has had on this downward trend. “The more Americans learn about the development of the unborn child and the... Continue Reading
Telling The Truth To A Skeptical Millennial Village
They are capable of learning but are we willing to risk their disapproval by telling them the truth?
The truth is that everything we need to know about salvation and the Christian life is in God’s Holy Word and the church catholic has been reading that Word together for two millennia. It isn’t all about “control, authority, and power.” It’s about truth, what is and that truth, God’s truth, can be known in... Continue Reading
Queen Latifah’s Grammy Mass Wedding
Entertainers now do it all: politics, ethics, confession, marriages, cure of souls.
Pop music used to be about superficial fun, a bit of escapism in the midst of life. Then it gained messianic aspirations. At the time, it looked ridiculously self-important. It is still superficial fun; but perhaps it does not look quite so ridiculous any more. At the Grammys last night Queen Latifah officiated a mass... Continue Reading
Good In Church
Seek my child, Lord. Not simply to be good in church. But to be a true worshiper of You, which is far better.
Good in church is always easier on me (and those in the nearby pews.) It saves me embarrassment, and keeps my hair and makeup intact. But good in church is not what I’m hoping for. I can wrestle my child into quiet and still. I cannot wrestle him into fellowship with the Triune God. For... Continue Reading
How Many Motivations Are There for Godliness?
I see at least twenty. In the three chapters of 2 Peter alone.
Is there just one proper gospel-centered rationale for holiness? Should we, in speaking about sanctification, avoid threats and warnings and coming judgment and focus simply on our acceptance in Christ? How many motivations does the Bible have for godliness? I see at least twenty. In the three chapters of 2 Peter alone. 1. We pursue holiness... Continue Reading
Exhaustion: We Have Settled For A Sub-Human Life
“Taking Back Sunday” to celebrate, rest, enjoy God, enjoy one another, and unplug
We have lost the fundamentals of our faith. Many of us were wooed by the Holy Spirit through Jesus’ promise found in Matthew 11. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Yet instead of finding rest, most of us have found long to-do lists,... Continue Reading
From Gay to Joyous
Author Christopher Yuan journeyed out of a pit into the arms of God
Given the same-sex marriage juggernaut’s political and judicial success last year, we can expect on Valentine’s Day this year to hear early and often how great it is to be gay. Christopher Yuan, who was a homosexual and a drug dealer, has a different story that led to two sentences: prison and HIV positive status.... Continue Reading