“Stress is a fascinating aspect of human life. It’s both destructive and motivating. It can sneak up on us and linger for what seems like forever, even never going away for some. Stress affects some far more than others, and we all handle it differently.”   My chest felt tight and I couldn’t catch my... Continue Reading

The psalm closes, “Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.” God’s unchanging and righteous Word is where we go when we ask the Lord to give us understanding, that we may truly “live.” It is only by God’s grace in Christ that we have been raised up and resurrected from... Continue Reading

We cannot be exactly like Jesus, but we can be like Daniel, like the saints in Jerusalem, and like the brothers in Ephesus. We cannot be perfect and sinless, but we can be transparent and reputable, and we can start again today. First, let us vet ourselves against the Law of God. Let’s do it... Continue Reading

The only alternative is the Covenant of Grace, in which God delivers the blessings of His kingdom, His rule within our hearts and minds, through the merit and grace of Christ freely received by faith.  The one in the covenant of grace submits fully to the Law of God and desires to see obedience to... Continue Reading

Additionally, shame isn’t redemptive. Shaming doesn’t bring believers closer together in fellowship. Shame doesn’t lead believers in paths of repentance and righteousness. Rather, shame causes people to hide. It causes them to withdraw. To disappear.   Social media has made us experts at shaming. We see something outrageous on Facebook (which happens approximately every 3 minutes), and... Continue Reading

Before responding to anyone who comes to us with what appears to be a loaded question or harsh criticism, we should seek to discern whether this is someone who would sincerely receive our words. Usually you can learn this simply by viewing the interaction that a particular individual has had with others on Twitter or Facebook. If they have... Continue Reading

The result of this has been the creation of an atmosphere in the home and in the churchthat assumes that women are inferior to men.  “Oh, no, no, no!” I can hear these people say, “You are wrong. We strongly emphasize that men and women are equal before God.” But the fact is, that is... Continue Reading

There are of course other common causes of depression — the next on my list would be bereavement, post-partum, chronic ill-health, materialism, pornography — but burnout, abuse, and an unforgiving spirit are the top three by far.   Over the past couple of days I’ve been privileged to be teaching a group of Reformed Baptist... Continue Reading

The issue of homosexuality is multifaceted. There is the question moral cultural degradation just mentioned. There is the most important issue of pastoral ministry, even to the most promiscuous. There is the question of how to take the message of grace to sinners around us. But a question not always asked is the one inspiring... Continue Reading

When my ex-husband walked out on our marriage, I was devastated. I had already been rejected long before this final step, so I was desperate to feel loved. Therefore, I conjured up an idea of “God” to  provide feelings to fill that  emptiness. In my mind’s eye, I pictured myself as a child approaching “God”... Continue Reading