Personal brag time

I established this blog primarily to create a venue to communicate biblical truth and provide spiritual resources for our church body (and anyone else who cared to listen in). It’s not a personal blog to recount personal accomplishments. But every once in a while I can’t help myself. So here goes: yesterday our daughter, a […]

Protect yourself

To protect itself from aggressors, the Texas horned lizard (more commonly known as the horny toad) uses some unique defense mechanisms, as the Smithsonian reported a few years ago: When the creature is threatened by a large predator, it runs through an elaborate behavioral repertoire. First, the lizard will hiss and swell its body with […]

John Piper: I Am Going to Vote

There has been much discussion among believers in this election year about whether or not to vote. There are many who are discouraged and disenchanted over the political process. Many don’t believe there is a godly and biblical choice (Thabiti Anyabwile is one who has articulated the position particularly well). But John Piper has some […]

What good is a brother?

“To sum up, let all be…brotherly…” (1 Pet. 3:8; NASB) In the past couple of decades a new kind of profession has developed. This professional is, “a blend of consultant, motivator, therapist, manager, and friend. Who are these people? Personal coaches, who help people ‘define and achieve their goals — career, personal, or both.’ Coaches […]

Why go to a prayer meeting?

With our church having begun a weekly prayer meeting again, I was encouraged by reading this post about the significance and importance of weekly times of prayer: Privilege… Community… Edification… Training… Serving… Reminder… Read the rest of Why Should You Go to A Prayer Meeting?.

Are you hungry?

“Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” (1 Peter 2:2-3; NASB) When our children were younger, we kept a growth chart for them on the inside of a closet door in our […]

Obedience and joy

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens…according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood…” (1 Pet. 1:1-2; NASB) Though far from my first act of disobedience, it is my earliest recollection of my […]

Faith or works?

“This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.” (Titus 3:8; NASB). There is a popular question which debates whether the chicken or the egg was […]

Kindle book sale: The Meaning of Marriage

Today only, Tim Keller’s book, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God is on sale in the Kindle edition for only $2.99. I have not read this book yet, but have read several reviews that spoke very highly of it.

God’s Word is settled

“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” (Ps. 119:89; NASB) So many things in life are transitory and short-lived. While we know God is permanent, stable, and dependable, yet we often still feel unsettled. So this verse serves as an anchor to our storm-tossed souls, reminding us of the faithfulness of God and […]

Free Kindle book — How Huge the Night

Lydia Munn, the wife of one of our missionaries, Jim Munn, along with their daughter Heather, recently wrote a novel about France during World War II. The book, How Huge the Night, is available during the month of October for free in the Kindle edition! Go to Amazon to download your free copy of the […]

He redeemed us

“who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:14; NASB) A few years ago, my wife and I discovered a television show on The Learning Channel which quickly became a favorite — “Junkyard Wars.” […]

GBC Book of the month: The Hole in Our Holiness

The book of the month (available both in our bookstore and library) for our church is Kevin DeYoung’s new work, The Hole in Our Holiness. I was first attracted to this book after listening to the address DeYoung gave at Together for the Gospel this year, “Spirit-Powered, Gospel-Driven, Faith-Fueled Effort” (audio download here). I found […]

Keep a good conscience

From Dwight Wagner: The goal of a Christian is to have a clear conscience before God and man. If we don’t fill our mind with Scripture, we will have a defiled conscience. If we fill our mind with truth but don’t act upon it, we will have a weak conscience. If we simply refuse the […]

3 lessons from Brainerd’s death

From Jesse Johnson: David Brainerd died 265 years ago. Yesterday [Tuesday] was the anniversary of his home going. Brainerd’s life ended when he was only 29 years old. He was not exactly famous when he died; he was expelled from Yale for declaring that an empty chair had more evidence of grace than the seminary […]