Idolatry possible for Christ-followers

J. C. Ryle offers the following sober warning that idolatry is not something just practiced by unbelievers: It is not necessary for a man formally to deny God and Christ in order to be an idolater. Far from it. Professed reverence for the God of the Bible and actual idolatry are perfectly compatible: they have […]

The inclination of our hearts

Our hearts are, because of the fall of man, naturally inclined to evil and sin and disobedience and rebellion against God. Yet in His grace, God works in the hearts of men to incline them in new ways to Him. We call this regeneration. It is God making a stony heart into a fleshly (sanctified […]

Affliction – good for the soul

I have come across two statements in the last day that affirm the verses that I read from the Psalmist on Sunday morning. Affliction is good for the soul. It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.… I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, And that […]

Biblical counseling conference this weekend

This weekend we host the biblical counseling training conference. As part of that conference, Lance Quinn, who is a Fellow with NANC, as well as a member of the board of NANC will be teaching. Additionally, Lance has graciously agreed to teach Sunday School and preach for us next Sunday morning. This is a real […]

Sunday Leftovers (9/12/10)

John Calvin has a fitting summary of the principles we spoke of this morning — how to build God-exalting and Christ-glorifying relationships: If anyone, therefore, appears before you who is in need of your kind services, you have no reason to refuse him your help. Suppose he is a stranger; yet the Lord has pressed […]

Patience defined

In an article in The Journal of Modern Ministry a couple years ago, Lou Priolo offered a seven-fold definition of patience: Patience is the ability to accept a difficult situation from the Lord without accusing Him of wrongdoing or giving Him a deadline to remove it. Patience is the ability, while experiencing physical or mental […]

Death is ugly

I read this statement in a magazine article today, and it echoes some of what I often say at funerals. In fact, the last sentence is virtually identical to what I have said many times: Death is ugly, and we cannot — indeed, should not — try to make it palatable or explain it away […]

Reading Job

The book of Job has long been of interest to Biblical readers for the question of theodicy (how can God be righteous if evil exists), the relationship between Satan’s activity and God’s providence, and the historicity of Job. Yet as one writer has noted, the bigger concern of the book than any of those questions […]

God is faithful

It was my first real job. Every morning I would get up early, go down to the corner, and pick up a bundle of newspapers, fold them, bind them with a rubber band, put them in my canvas carrying bag and deliver them. On only the second or third Sunday, I showed up at the […]

How specific should confession be?

Using David’s sin with Bathsheba as an illustration, David Powlison answers the commonly asked question, “how specific should my confession be (particularly with sexual sin)?” Summary: There should be no doubt about the nature of the sin — it is crystal clear what happened and allow the reality of the sin to be faced. There […]

Reading 2 Timothy

When persecution and trouble become temptations to become apathetic, a recommitment to the standard of God found in Scripture is in order. Since Paul is soon to leave the world through death, this “valedictory” letter of 2 Timothy also serves as a commission to Timothy to remain faithful to teach and preach the truth of […]

False Messages: an e-book for women

Last year, Tim Challies wrote an e-book entitled Sexual Detox (.pdf download here). The book was designed to help men to understand the impact of pornography on their minds and hearts and to help them begin to walk with Christ in newness of life. This year, Tim’s wife Aileen has written a companion book for […]

Vacation is over

And it was good medicine for the soul (and there were more than two dates with Raye Jeanne):

Grab bag

Recently seen around the Internet that I found interesting: I might tweak some of his counsel at the end to be a little more Biblical, but I agree with his observation that “Busyness is the new spirituality.” Nine Marks produces an e-Journal every two months that is always helpful and thought-provoking. This month the theme […]

Al Mohler’s new podcasts

Al Mohler is no longer producing his syndicated radio show. However, this month he has begun podcasting two new programs addressing contemporary issues. “The Briefing” will provide “a daily worldview analysis about the leading news headlines and cultural conversations.” “Thinking in Public” is “an interview forum for intelligent conversation about frontline theological and cultural issues.” […]