The Bible, the President, and homosexuality

This week the President announced his support for same-sex marriages: “At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.” What has been missed in some of the discussion is that he also […]

“We are living in an appalling time of need…”

Two days ago I read this statement by Martyn Lloyd-Jones in John Knox and the Reformation. After yesterday’s announcement by the President about his position on homosexual marriage, MLJ’s statement sounds even more profound: We are living in an appalling time of need, sin and evil rampant; the whole world is quaking and shaking. Is […]

My Hope Is In You, Lord

Here is a new song by Aaron Shust: “My Hope is in You.” The song is a powerful testimony in itself. But its testimony is amplified when one knows that the video was produced by Vinegar Hill, a company founded by Ian Murphy, husband of Larissa. Watch and listen:

The Story of Ian and Larissa

John Piper introduces the story of Ian and Larissa — a unique couple who married when most would be very hesitant: Being satisfied in God (or anything) always seems easier when all is going well. But when things you love are being stripped out of your hands, then the test is real. If God remains […]

Are you changing?

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13; NASB) Many years ago I read something that continues to challenge me — “I worry that our lives are like soap […]

Pay attention

On a ball field or in the stands, there is a universal warning of imminent danger: “heads up!” Ignore the warning, and you are in danger of being struck by an incoming projectile. In the classroom, the warning generally is given with the words, “Pay attention!” It serves as a subtle indicator that information is […]

The ascended Christ

On first reading, it seems like just a simple statement in a story. We know that the sentence reveals an event that is important, but the real significance of the words is not readily apparent. “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received […]

Sunday Leftovers — Resources for Elders

For the last four weeks, we’ve been studying the role of elders in the church and the qualifications of elders. In addition to the commentaries I read weekly, here are some resources I’ve found helpful in my study: Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership: This is an excellent book; it is extensive and detailed in its analysis […]

Why trust God?

When in difficulty, it is tempting to despair. We look at life through dark-colored lenses and see only trouble and no hope. We see only trial and persecution and no deliverance. We might say with David (Psalm 57): My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, Even the sons […]

A better way to listen to sermons on iTunes

I have been using iTunes to listen to sermons for several years — first on an iPod and now on an iPhone. In fact, most of what I listen to on my iPhone is sermons, and therein lies a small problem. I turn off my phone most evenings in order to conserve the battery, but […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles from around the internet: Justin Taylor offers “Eight Reasons Why My Anxiety is Pointless and Foolish.” In “Pray the Scriptures,” Scotty Smith confesses, I am a recovering self-centered pragmatic pray-er — a believer who spent many of my first years in Christ thinking of God more as a sugar daddy than the […]

Do you love Jesus?

More than 25 years ago, Raye Jeanne and I met. Our relationship was progressing fairly rapidly and I was trying to sort out my thoughts about her and us while at the same time feeling an emotional pull in a particular direction. There was a topic I wanted to address with her, but knew that […]

His blood bleeds the Bible

Every elder should be able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2). He ought to have a firm grasp of Scripture so that not only is his own life founded on Scripture, but everything he does and says is rooted in biblical truth. But this is not peculiar to the pastor. This is the livelihood of every […]

Needed: a higher standard of holiness

Almost 150 years ago, J. C. Ryle wrote what I need to hear today (and every day): Is it not true that we need a higher standard of personal holiness in this day? Where is out patience? Where is our zeal? Where is our love? Where are our works? Where is the power of religion […]

“My Father and Your Father…”

One of the joys of reading Scripture is stumbling across the unexpected in the midst of the familiar. For instance, while we are well acquainted with the resurrection account, there are some unexpected treasures in the midst of the miraculous. Consider this statement by Jesus to Mary in the garden: “Stop clinging to Me, for […]