So what on earth can all this ancient theological reasoning mean for you at Christmas tide? Christmas celebrates the incarnation—the theological reality that the LORD has not abandoned his creation but entered into it. Proverbs 8, as Gregory reads it, illustrates the LORD’s great Wisdom in creation and in incarnation. Proverbs 8 draws out the... Continue Reading

Even though I knew news that they desperately need to hear and a “him” that they were made for (Colossians 1:16), my voice had not bothered to make its way to speak to them, befriend them, and share with them the most necessary message to ever grace human ears: the gospel of Jesus Christ. What... Continue Reading

What’s better? Not just believing in Christ, but suffering for Him. Far from seeing his imprisonment as an obstacle to God’s mission, Paul trusted that God’s plan for his life was working to further God’s kingdom and build up His church. Because salvation for our sins came through the redemptive suffering of Jesus, Paul knew... Continue Reading

Where is your hope in times of trouble? During the current crisis, most Americans have turned to the wisdom of the government for a solution to their fears. The freedom loving people of America have sold a large measure of their constitutional and unalienable birthrights, among them Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, to... Continue Reading

That feeling of angst around the holidays is a reminder of a couple of crucial truths every human being must reckon with sooner or later: we are weak in the soul and no personal goals will strengthen us there. You can lose weight and develop muscle—and let’s face it, you probably should—but looking good on the outside... Continue Reading

Patience not only reduces the suffering, but it yields luster to the one who is patient, and it convicts and even conquers the enemies. Consider therefore that time is short, and that your suffering is transitory. It proceeds from the hand of the Lord and is to the glory of Jesus. Let patience therefore do... Continue Reading

This quest differentiated him from other preachers of the day who seemed more concerned with impressing listeners with rhetorical and oratorical expertise, fueled by a desire to be seen as one with intellectual and academic dexterity.  The critique often levied toward the practice of academic writing and speaking is that it’s “confusing and dense, that... Continue Reading

 I don’t know about you, but both sets of truths (where we find our identity, and what we have in Christ) really struck me forcefully. God certainly spoke to me on both counts. As I said in yesterday’s piece, I do not consider myself to be a leader as such, but I am involved in... Continue Reading

We face the peril of becoming flabby, uncourageous, and complacent pilgrims. Ease tempts one to love our luxuries and count radical living for Christ as “unwise” and “reckless.” Although I like to think I am more like Gandalf or Thorin — warriors who endure stone beds and scanty meals, biting weather and armed enemies for... Continue Reading

At the start of the Upper Room Discourse, Jesus does more than teach the practical way we’re to live as his followers. He exemplifies it. We’re to follow his example in serving others. That’s not redemptive but expresses the experience of redemption in following Jesus. He considered service essential for living as his disciples. Without humble... Continue Reading