Spurgeon’s preaching was conversational, extemporaneous, and “off the cuff.” He was forceful, winsome, direct, and earthy. He had no patience for the dry, polished lectures many preachers delivered from Victorian pulpits. Spurgeon criticized a sermon that “requires a dictionary rather than a Bible to explain it” (MTP 56:482). His critics accused him of being irreverent and... Continue Reading

Lott was pulling up floor boards in her flooded business in Springfield, La., when she prayed to God for help: “Right then, three people from church showed up. What would have taken me three hours to do, we knocked out in 30 minutes.” Compared to previous disasters, relief workers told me they have seen a... Continue Reading

“I take my text and make a beeline to the cross.” This is Spurgeon’s most famous quote. Do a search online and you’ll find dozens of popular Christian blogs, church history articles, and even reputable publications that attribute this quote to Spurgeon.  But Spurgeon did not say this – or even anything close to this.... Continue Reading

I encourage individuals to save for their rainy day, because troubles do always come. I encourage our local, state, and federal leaders to do the same. We, as baby boomers, have failed to invest in the coming generations. Instead of strengthening our infrastructure, we have mortgaged our future. This is not progress, and it is... Continue Reading

“I think their absence is going to be felt for a long, long time,” said Lisa Dew, the manager of the nuns’ clinic. “There are a lot of people here who depended on them for their care, their medicines. It’s going to be rough.”   UPDATE (8/27/16, 9:20 a.m.): Mississippi authorities have arrested and charged... Continue Reading

You Don’t Have to Raise Your Voice to Raise the Dead. “A bell will be heard much further off than a drum; and, very singularly, the more musical a sound is the farther it travels.” “Do not start at the highest pitch as a rule, for then you will not be able to rise when... Continue Reading

The appeal of this quote is understandable. The powerful arrangement of words elevates the importance of the cause and bringing Bonhoeffer to one’s side only strengthens the sense that the cause is just. However, since the quote isn’t his, using it is a false witness.   Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a modern day hero among evangelical... Continue Reading

Dr. Kooistra has communicated his plan to move into retirement as soon as possible and no later than October 31.  The Presidential Search Committee must now change directions and move immediately to seek candidates to serve as interim president as directed in the bylaws.  Our first meeting will take place prior to the end of... Continue Reading

While I believe I have read and used all of Dr. Motyer’s published works over the course of my life, three of his books were transformative to my ministry in particular. In my early days as a preacher his commentary on Amos, sub-titled “The Day of the Lion,” was a huge help to me as... Continue Reading

Point me to the gospel. This is why I’m there, whether I remember it or not. This is what I need. I need the announcement of the historical work of Christ on the cross and out of the tomb more than I need oxygen! So I’m very, very grateful when your song choice, banter, worship... Continue Reading