Only Christ can turn an arrogant, “bring on the world” seminary graduate into a patient, humble giver of grace. Only deep gratitude for a suffering Savior can make a man willing to suffer in ministry. Only in brokenness before your own sin can you give grace to fellow rebels among whom God has called you... Continue Reading

We were all born with a sense of right and wrong and we put this sense into use every day in every situation that arise. If someone cuts us off on the highway, we judge that they are maniacs. If someone is driving too slow in front of us, we judge them to be idiots.... Continue Reading

Soli Deo gloria is the motto that grew out of the Protestant Reformation and was used on every composition by Johann Sebastian Bach. He affixed the initials SDG at the bottom of each manuscript to communicate the idea that it is God and God alone who is to receive the glory for the wonders of His work of... Continue Reading

DeYoung offers up three dangers that busyness presents: ruining our joy, robbing our hearts, and covering up the rot in our souls. He then lists seven diagnoses to help the harried reader start to discern the root of her busyness.   I suppose there was a time in my life when I would answer that... Continue Reading

We went through Hurricane Andrew together and I heard Shirley say, “Wake up Bob, you just slept through the worst natural disaster in American history.” To which Dr. Reymond responded, “Shirley, a good conscience allows for good sleep anytime, anywhere.”   I am honored and humbled by the announcement from Truth in Action Ministries. To preach the... Continue Reading

Most pastors are inherently “nice people”. Abusers take advantage of them, and they take it. They may even think that this is a sign of humility and faithfulness to the Lord. Yet in fact, these abusers are consistently, chronically, and systematically stripping the clergy of every ounce of self-esteem they once had when they first... Continue Reading

Another primate, Archbishop Mouneer Anis of Egypt, launched a harsh critique of the communion leadership’s unwillingness to deal with issues. Successive archbishops of Canterbury have tried to hold the communion together, but failed to use their influence to bring cohesion to autonomous provinces, he said.   Primates and bishops from the Global South attending a... Continue Reading

…when you have turned the last page, you will feel—as I did—that all of them are now dear friends, a cloud of witnesses, pointing you to Christ in the midst of ministry life.   Once upon a time, I walked in the teacher’s lounge of the school where I worked.  The teachers on their break... Continue Reading

Immediately following the May vote, conservative Scout leaders and the churches that sponsor, or “charter,” Scout units, started to defect. The Scouts won’t say how many, and it likely won’t know until units recharter for the new year, but before the May vote, its own estimates were that around 300,000 members would leave because of... Continue Reading

When it looked as though the United States would go to war with Syria, members of Congress received thousands of calls from their constituents. The calls ran 99 to 1 against action, and higher. Could any of those thousands be mobilized to call on behalf of Syria’s Christians? Or to join already organized petition drives... Continue Reading