“In the Bible, one reads of the love of the Heavenly Father. One then sees him prove his affection for the world by sending his own son that whoever believes in him might not perish but find eternal life. Likewise, the affection of the Son for both the Father and the Elect is legendary.”   Christ looks at his... Continue Reading

“Some insisted it boils down to personality. I’m a pretty serious extrovert. I’m comfortable in a lively conversation. Does this mean I should pastor? Not necessarily. Many of my pastoral heroes are serious introverts. Besides, my most skilled professors took a relational approach to students and were also devoted churchmen.”   John Calvin was certain God had called and... Continue Reading

“Are you standing petrified on the end of some diving board in a faith crisis while your heavenly Instructor is exhorting you to jump? Is he making precious and very great promises (2 Peter 1:4) to you that if you jump, you will discover new dimensions of swimming joy?”   When I was six or... Continue Reading

“As intelligent design theorists have pointed out, unguided, natural processes always degrade information — they never increase it. If life at its most fundamental level is a digital code, then mutations are glitches that, if they accumulate, will eventually kill the organism.”   What’s the greatest discovery in the history of biology? If you said... Continue Reading

“We are not setting out in prayer to change the mind or will of God, but simply to make known to Him our “wants and our desires.” We do so while simultaneously settling in our hearts that it is God’s will –and not our own– that we ultimately long to see fulfilled.”   Should Christians... Continue Reading

“This are just a few of the small things that have changed me throughout life. If you’ve known me for any length of time, you’ve probably heard me talk about one or all of them. I hope even more, though, that you’ve seen me live them.”   There have been seven or eight lessons I have... Continue Reading

So much time is wasted on things that just don’t matter:  Life is short and too often is spent pursuing after and worrying about things that don’t matter in the end. I don’t want to live with regrets. I’ve wasted too much time already. You too? Let’s seek to glorify God in what we do... Continue Reading

If asked what it means to be a man, many would naturally point to the MMA fighter, to one of the grizzly members of the show “Deadliest Catch” or to some extraordinarily gifted athlete. Others would unhesitatingly appeal to the studious and successful man–the doctor, the lawyer, the CEO or the engineer. The more machismo, the more man. The more money,... Continue Reading

As we make gratitude a habit by practicing it over and over, it becomes part of us. Natural. As natural as complaining. And eventually thankfulness will drive out that demon of grumbling and we’ll experience more and more consistent joy. Here are 6 ways to cultivate thankfulness: Thank God first thing when you wake up.... Continue Reading

If we insist that Christian ethics should have no bearing on public policy, we do a disservice to our theology and cripple the mission of the church. It is a retreat inward and a tacit approval of injustice in society. A public Christianity is not about imposing Christian ethics on an unwilling citizenry. Instead, public... Continue Reading