A new counseling method?

This video is an internet classic — if anything on the internet can already be known as classic. I’ve seen references to it numerous times, and showed it to my family for the first time last week. It makes a good point about the necessity of putting off sin. It’s a spoof by Bob Newhart […]

What are the odds?

I received this from our missionary in France. The conclusion might be a little surprising.

Sunday Leftovers (8/22/10)

One of the frequently omitted realities about sanctification is that it is a process. No one is sanctified instantly, like a cheap pudding, or even fast, like an inexpensive hamburger. Sanctification takes time. In fact, it is part of a believer’s life every day until he is finally glorified through his death. In other words, […]

Reflections on Twenty Years of Ministry: Faithful Co-Laborers

This is the sixth of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC. We are part of a lineage that reaches back to Christ and reaches ahead into eternity. But we also are part of each other’s stories. We share life together. So in our church body there are two […]

Following Christ and entertainment

John Piper asks a helpful question: “Do you glorify God in your movie watching?” I just think we need to test our hearts big time. Big time. Why are we able to enjoy hell bound, God ignoring, Christ dishonoring, false world views because we can give it a little twist at the end that it […]

Reflections on Twenty Years of Ministry: Godly Heritage

This is the fifth of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC. I am grateful for a godly heritage. I can go back many generations in my genealogy, and all are believers. I grew up in a home where my parents loved each other and loved Christ. I was […]

Principles of giving

A preacher went to visit a farmer and during the course of that visit asked him, “If you had $200 would you give $100 to the Lord?” “I would, preacher.” “If you had two cows, would you give one to the Lord?” “Yes, I believe I would.” “If you had two pigs, would you give […]

Reflections on Twenty Years of Ministry: Hearing People

This is the fourth of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC. One thing I particularly prayed for when coming to GBC was peace and unity. We have it. The question is, why? Obviously, such a gift is due to the grace and kindness of God. But there is […]

Reflections on Twenty Years of Ministry: Church

This is the third of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC. I am thankful for the church. But it wasn’t always that way. When I started seminary, I wanted to teach. Somewhere along the way that changed, though I would be hard-pressed to identify when and where. But […]

Justification and its fruit

John Piper has a brief but helpful discussion of the relationship between justification and sanctification. He emphasizes why it is important to understand justification as imputed — a declaration of our position before God: The only instrument by which I am made a participant in Christ’s righteousness is God’s acting through my faith. I am […]

Why do you serve Christ?

May I ask a straight-forward question? Why do you do what you do for Christ? That is, what is the motive for your actions? What drives you and compels you? Specifically, when you think about how you serve God, can you also determine why you serve God? Some serve God from a sense of “holy […]

Reflections on Twenty Years of Ministry: Family

This is the second of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC. As I think about ministry at GBC, I am thankful for family. Specifically, I am thankful for my family. Paul tells the Corinthians that it is better to remain single because the interests of a married man […]

A sweet aroma

A writer for Leadership Journal recounted the following story: Deep-sea divers recently recovered a leather case containing 40 small vials of perfume oil from the wreck of the Titanic. The little bottles, which probably would have been sold in New York as the ingredients for cologne, belonged to a businessman from Manchester, England. When they […]

Myths about hell

Pastor and blogger Joe Thorn recently wrote about five commonly held myths about Hell. These false beliefs are common (much too common), and his brief responses are helpful. Read them here: Hell is a place where Satan reigns. Hell is where sinners party. Hell is temporary. Hell is the absence of God. Hell is for […]

Reflections on Twenty Years of Ministry: Grace

This is the first of a series of reflections of gratitude on 20 years of ministry at GBC. When I think about ministry and about 20 years of ministry at GBC, I am thankful for grace. The word “grace” comes quickly to the lips of most believers, but are we genuinely convinced of our need […]