Doubts need not equal defeat. Refuse to feed your doubts by asking questions that cannot be answered here and now. Embrace the mystery of God. Become comfortable with the phrase, “I don’t know…but God does.” Assume the posture of a child who doesn’t know his parents plans but who trusts their motives. Wrestle with God,... Continue Reading

Number three, it’s a life. This the most important point and why, despite the very real physical and emotional pain that I don’t want to minimize, I cannot support abortion on demand. Not for any reason, not even this one. The leading textbooks are clear: life begins at conception. That’s not a religious belief. That’s... Continue Reading

Many people didn’t like Jesus because of this. He pointed out their sin. He didn’t hug them and pretend everything was OK. He didn’t accept them as they were, living in their sin. He told them exactly how they stood before a holy God. (John 3:3-5, John 4:1-30) If people repented, Jesus forgave their sins.... Continue Reading

As I continue to think about Gospel living and loving others, I find great encouragement from Amy Carmichael: “Let nothing be said about anyone unless it passes through the three sieves: Is it true? kind? necessary?” (p. 58). These are three questions worth asking before I speak, write or think about someone, or to them.... Continue Reading

And what a wonderful picture of the fellowship that believers in Jesus have with one another: to be brothers and sisters of the same family! Our relationship to one another is not based upon common interests or shared hobbies. We’re not merely a social club or a political organization linked by superficial commonalities. We are... Continue Reading

My friends, we will never regret the time that we spend sacrificing for others for the sake of the Kingdom. We will never regret the effort employed in fighting sin for the sake of the Kingdom. We will never regret the energy spent seeking righteousness for the sake of the Kingdom. Whatever we give for... Continue Reading

The Christian definition of justice (even as it pertains to marriage) will be communally discerned in the large arc of history. Our discernment will take place cross-culturally. It will be soaked in prayer and empowered by the Spirit. This definition of justice will arise from attending to what the Spirit is saying today, but we... Continue Reading

Proverbs is not a how-to manual for rearing children. Or more correctly, it is not merely a how-to manual. Having said that, I will say that Proverbs is a very applicable book that does inform how we think and what we do as parents and children. But before we go off and simply apply what... Continue Reading

What is righteousness? The simplest answer to that question is this: Righteousness is doing what is right in the sight of God. This is a simple definition that is far more complex under the surface. To be righteous is to do everything that God calls us to do. The demands of true righteousness are so... Continue Reading

When we sin we need mercy. And Jesus is on his throne of grace waiting to pour out mercy if we draw near and confess our sins to him. Mercy is primarily for past failures and sins. Grace is strength to overcome what we face now and tomorrow. Grace is “help in time of need.”... Continue Reading