Books and transformation

In a recent post, Bob Kauflin wrote, “I once heard someone say that books don’t change people — sentences do. If I glean two or three sentences from a book that affect the way I think and the way I live, that’s time well invested. So I read.” I find it virtually impossible to read […]

God, sin and sovereignty

One of the repeated questions people (both those who believe in Christ and those who do not) have about God is the relationship between sin and suffering, and God who is sovereign over all things. How can those seemingly contradictory statements co-exist and God still be God? In his most recent sermon, John Piper addresses […]

Better (Teenage) Saints

How shall we parent and shepherd our teens so that they will walk faithfully with God? In his most recent “Taste and See” column, John Piper interacts with two recent books and draws the conclusion that “Good Doctrine Makes Better (Teenage) Saints.” A sample statement: “…even though growing a church by serious teaching of biblical […]

Sunday Leftovers (8/19/07)

In the last few years, I have heard an increasing number of times, “I love _____, but I don’t like him/her…” Such a notion is a completely foreign concept in Scripture. To love someone is, by definition, to be both a friend and friendly to that person. No where should that be more evident than […]

Be steadfast…abounding in God’s work

The other day I found myself having a little whine to my wife — “I’m weary…” was the general tone of the conversation. Ever had thoughts like that? Sure you have. It is easy to forget two complementary truths from Scripture: that as believers, are lives are given to Christ to be used (up) by […]

The high cost of sexual sin

In preparation for Sunday’s sermon, I came across this statement by Derek Kidner about the Biblical reality of what sexual sin is. [All the references are from Proverbs.] …sexual sin is presented in the darkest colours. It is a squandering of powers that were designed for the founding of a true family that should be […]

Consumerism and idolatry

In an article for Leadership Journal last year, Skye Jethani makes an important distinction between consumption and consumerism — Christian critiques of consumerism usually focus on the dangers of idolatry—the temptation to make material goods the center of life rather than God. This, however, misses the real threat consumerism poses. My concern is not materialism, […]

Book Review: The Truth of the Cross

In the past few years, I have found myself increasingly gravitating to books on the cross of Christ. One reason is that since I lead our church through communion each month, I need to read things that keep the truth of the cross fresh and exciting to me. But the most significant reason is that […]

Sunday Leftovers (8/12/07)

In “How Much is Enough?” Al Mohler demonstrates the cultural bias towards a preoccupation with and dependence on material goods and wealth as god. That theology constantly bombards our souls and is dangerous for both us and our children. So, here are some random thoughts as I reflect on yesterday’s sermon and think about how […]

The priority of corporate worship

Reflecting on Revelation 4-5 as a means of instructing the church about the nature of worship, Art Azurdia in his sermon “Bible Ministry” (Part 1) says this: “In heaven, worship is undeniably corporate in essence. In fact, of all the worship scenes in heaven recorded for us in the Revelation, can you think of one, […]

Sunday Leftovers (8/5/07)

“To the physician,” writes, Chuck Swindoll, “it’s merely a two-ounce slab of mucous membrane…But the tongue is as volatile as it is vital…[It is ] verbal cyanide. A lethal, relentless, flaming missile which assaults with hellish power, blistering and destroying at will.” This is the testimony of many Scriptures — Jesus, James, and Proverbs speak […]

Things worth reading and praying when a bridge collapses

How do you respond when a bridge collapses (or a tower falls)? What are you to think? What do you tell your children or young believers (or unbelievers) about God in such a situation? Three writers (one “old,” and two contemporary), help us answer these questions in a biblical framework: Oswald Chambers Al Mohler John […]

Audio worth hearing

I was first introduced to Arturo Azurdia by The Master’s Seminary chapel audio. Then, while on vacation the last couple of weeks, I listened to several more of his sermons. He is clear, compelling, convicting, and faithful to the text in his exposition. His sermons are well worth hearing, because he listens to God (chapter […]

Lessons Remembered After a Midnight Phone Call

When the phone rings at midnight, awakening you from a deep and hard sleep, it rarely rings with happy news. “Mr. Enns? This is Pastor ________. Your daughter is ok, but she’s been in an accident at camp and has been hurt…We’re getting ready to take her to the emergency room…” With those words last […]

Nothing new about truth

Solomon said that there is “nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9). I’ve understood that to be true in a variety of circumstances. Death is sorrowful. Marriage is the greatest source of earthly joy (and often sorrow). Sin is devastating. Always. Where there are people, there will be conflict. Where there is Christ, there can […]