Many thoughts remained in my mind (and in my notes) following yesterday’s sermon. Belief in the omnipresence of God is not new for me. I have thought about it many times. But the significance of God’s continual presence with me (and all men) weighed on me in new and fresh ways this week. What follows […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (9/21/08)Charles H. Spurgeon, Counsel for Christian Workers: Christ’s servants delight to give so much as to be thought wasteful, for they feel that when they have in the judgment of others done extravagantly for Christ, they have but begun to show their heart’s love for His dear name.
Read More Today’s Quote (9/22/08)Thabiti Anyabwile, What is a Healthy Church Member?: …it may be the case that the most chronic problem facing churches and Christians is the lack of consistent spiritual growth and progress in discipleship. …we must clarify what growth is and is not. Ours is a superficial culture that lays emphasis on the outward signs and […]
Read More Today’s Quote (9/21/08)Al Mohler always has keen insights into cultural issues and how a believer should view new happenings as they occur. Yesterday he responded to a report from England that many single women are now becoming mothers through artificial insemination — and at much earlier ages (20s and early 30s) than ever before. The entire blog […]
Read More Singleness and ChildrenThabiti Anyabwile, What is a Healthy Church Member?: How can we know if we are receiving God’s Word with meekness? Perhaps the following questions will help: As we read the Bible, are we reading for information only or with faith that God actually speaks through his Word? When we hear the Word preached, are we […]
Read More Today’s Quote (9/20/08)Thabiti Anyabwile, What is a Healthy Church Member?: Christians should receive the Word of God with meekness. That is, in the preaching of God’s Word and in Bible study, Christians should remain lowly and gentle before Scripture, acknowledging it as the source of salvation and instruction in godly living. As we come to the Scripture, […]
Read More Today’s Quote (9/19/08)Thabiti Anyabwile, What is a Healthy Church Member?: With a group of mature Christian church members and friends, use the following questions [for self-examination of your conversion] to consider and cite evidence of God’s grace among you and, if necessary, identify areas where grace is needed. Do we walk in the light or in the […]
Read More Today’s Quote (9/18/08)I have preached entirely through the books of 1 and 2 Timothy, books devoted to the explanation of the function of the church. I have preached multiple brief sermon series (2-4 sermons) on various aspects of church ministry. Though I didn’t do it this fall, very often in September I will preach at least one […]
Read More Book review: What is a Healthy Church Member?When I was in college, I taught a couple of classes at the school that met at my church. Frequently when one of the children was being disciplined for words that were unkind, profane, or angry, the principal would have the offending student transcribe James 3 a particular number of times. The greater the offense, […]
Read More The (destructive) power of wordsFollowing on the heels of my earlier comments, I came across a review of Susan Wise Bauer’s recent book, The Art of the Public Grovel, Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America. Based on the review, I’m not sure I agree with Bauer’s conclusions, however, it does offer much to think about in relation to […]
Read More Another thought about confession and “apologies”It has interested me over the past few years to see a growing trend for groups to offer “apologies” to other groups or individuals who may not even be alive, for sins that were not committed by the apologizing group. The whole truth about confession and forgiveness is horribly muddled in the whole process: Biblically […]
Read More Creation, evolution, and apologiesOnce upon a time there was an athlete. He was not the biggest, or the fastest, or the strongest, or the most athletic, but there had never been another athlete who was both bigger and faster, or both stronger and more athletic. He was the athlete’s athlete. He was a star in college; he became […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (9/14/08)Thabiti Anyabwile, What is a Healthy Church Member?: Conversion is the radical turn from an enslaved life of pursuing sin to a free life of pursuing and worshipping God. Conversion is a change of life, not merely a decision. This change is not a matter of moral rectitude, self help, or mere behavior modification. It […]
Read More Today’s Quote (9/17/08)This morning I received the email blog from Pulpit Magazine, addressing the issue of “God’s High Call for Women.” Given the recent controversy about the role of women in the church and whether they are qualified Biblically to preach, this is worthwhile reading. A more lengthy version by the elders of Grace Community Church is […]
Read More Still more on women and ministryThabiti Anyabwile, What is a Healthy Church Member?: The greatest need in the world today is the gospel. It is the greatest need of the world because men, women, and children are perishing without a vital knowledge of God through the good news of our Savior and his Son, Jesus.… Apart from the gospel, the […]
Read More Today’s Quote (9/16/08)
