Jesus knew that if He publicly led with the title, people would misunderstand the kind of kingdom He came to bring. So He often used another title, “Son of Man,” drawn from Daniel 7. This was deliberately ambiguous. The phrase could refer to an ordinary human being or prophet, but in Daniel’s vision it describes... Continue Reading

I’m tired of watching so many people struggle in silence, unsure if their grief is valid or worth someone else’s time and attention (it is!). I believe invisible grief is unique enough from how we traditionally think about the topic that we could use a different approach.   There is no path through this life... Continue Reading

“Gene didn’t speak to my troubles as an outsider; he understood what I was going through. Gene was how God answered my prayer for help.” “I had never heard a man teach the Bible like Gene. He taught the Bible like he saw what was going on in the deepest part of my soul. The... Continue Reading

These wild, unorganized times in our home are part of that blessing. When God says they are a blessing, they just are. I remember vividly sitting in the car with the man who discipled me. He was holding a baby in one hand while firstborn wailed in the back of his car.   There are... Continue Reading

When Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth,” He is saying, “That’s who you are to be, too. Moving toward wounds and weakness… moving towards brokenness and sickness… so that it doesn’t get worse, and so that it can be restored to its proper health. Yes, the truth will ‘hurt’ or ‘offend’ at... Continue Reading

D. X. La Far was ordained in 1863 and the sources consulted made no mention of his having been previously licensed, but he was likely licensed given the thirteen years of intermittent pulpit supply before he was ordained. His first ordained ministry was supplying the First Presbyterian Church in Anderson, 1863-1864, then he served the... Continue Reading

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). This is not to say that the Christian is to rejoice even in his sin. That is the mark of the world. The world actively seeks out sin in its rebellion against God. It advocates for sin. It loves sin and fights for... Continue Reading

O then, friends! Don’t be afraid to obey Him. Don’t be afraid to confess Him here below, for you shall be acknowledged by God at the last day, and get His approbation, and that is of more worth than if you had the applause of angels, and all saints that ever lived or shall live... Continue Reading

In 1 Corinthians 1:18, the apostle Paul begins to unfold his philosophy of ministry, explaining how and why he does the ministry that Christ has called him to perform. This verse is so rich because it contains many elements that are foundational to what we do together as the body of Christ.    The truths that... Continue Reading

As ministry leaders and volunteers, we can be aware of the limitations people with disabilities have, while also making our church environments feel like more than just babysitting people with disabilities during the time their families are being discipled. We can disciple them as well! Doing this well includes creating accessible ministry environments and making... Continue Reading