holiness The Promise of Holiness September 16, 2020 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1Why should we be
Bible reading Reading With and For Jesus August 19, 2020 As many young brains take up the great task of learning to read, it's a good time for the rest of us to join them. In a post a few weeks ago, I
faith Trusting Jesus Together July 15, 2020 The Enemy, capital "E", is afoot. Seizing opportunities afforded by pandemic and politics, by vicious murders and violent mobs, he prowls like a lion. He wields the weapons we've granted him: the echo
Bible reading The Danger of an Open Bible June 30, 2020 The Bible is, hands down, the most amazing book in the history of the world. Written over a period of about 16 centuries, it is made up of 66 individual books. These books
Hope My Verse for 2020 June 17, 2020 I don't have a life verse. I'm not really one to even pick a particular verse or passage for any given year or season in life. But this year, man. This year has
A Time to Listen June 03, 2020 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are
church leadership To Appeal or Command? May 20, 2020 ...though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you... Philemon 8-9 On either side of the equation,
Doubt Help for the Doubters May 06, 2020 Like most Christians, doubt is a part of my life. I don't know if I struggle with doubt more or less than you, but it's usually not very far away, taking every opportunity
church life Not too clean April 15, 2020 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 On my worst, most selfish days, I just want everything clean
Bible reading For, Not To April 08, 2020 When people becomes members of our congregation, one of the commitments they make is to "diligently read the Bible." (While daily Bible reading is never commanded in Scripture, love and devotion for God's
Coronavirus Reasons for Thanksgiving March 18, 2020 So here is my attempt to be more thoughtful about reasons to give God thanks during the current crisis. I'd love for you comment on this post with other reasons!
The Better Portion by Laura Cerbus March 04, 2020 Our friend Laura and her family are part of the RPC of Australia. She blogs at lauracerbus.com. Does the story of Mary and Martha bother anyone else? Honestly, for much of my
restoration Helping Wayward Friends February 19, 2020 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens,
thought life Life of the Mind, 3 January 29, 2020 [See the first and second post in this short series.] What goes on between our ears matters to God, probably a lot more than we realize. Equally important is the Bible's clear teaching
thought life Life of the Mind, 2 January 15, 2020 [See the first installment here. There I argued for four simple ideas: Your thought life matters. Your mind and heart are never really separate. You are called to a sanctified mind. And you
thought life Life of the Mind December 18, 2019 [Here, I hope to begin a short series of posts considering our thought life.] What do you think when you hear "thought life" or "life of the mind"? This doesn't seem to be
relationships Guarding Our Words December 04, 2019 My friend Adam Niess preached for us last Sunday from James 3 with the exhortation to guard our tongues. It was a helpful, clear and convicting sermon. Our family has been using his
apologetics Apologetics for the sake of the church November 20, 2019 And when he [Paul] wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,
God's Law How I Love Your Law November 06, 2019 I've been enjoying reading Ernest Kevan's book The Moral Law - it has been a helpful reminder of the goodness and greatness of God's law. It is also a useful tool for preachers
history History as a work of honor October 30, 2019 Count this as the post of a proud pastor. A friend and member of our congregation, Diana Vice, after months of hard work, was able recently to honor a local WW1 soldier named
1 Corinthians 14 Looking Closely at Speaking in Tongues October 16, 2019 1 Corinthians 14 is not an easy passage. The rise of modern Pentecostalism over the last 120 years has made the issue of speaking in tongues a perpetual issue, making it even more
Baptism What Does Baptism Do? October 02, 2019 There are different ways to approach the regular debates and confusions about baptism. One way I've found helpful lately is to ask the Scriptures, "What does baptism do?" When we look for God's
the church The Church is a Means of Grace September 18, 2019 Recently we had the joy of seeing our two oldest kids make their profession of faith before the elders and then the congregation. It has been a joy to give God thanks for
The Lord's Supper God's Genius in Communion September 04, 2019 Many are familiar with 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, where Paul lays out how Jesus' instructions for the Lord's Supper. In fact, you may have heard it so many times you could quote it
church unity Connecting with Local Churches August 21, 2019 It's easy for reformed churches, and Christians in those churches, to feel isolated from other Christians in their communities. Because of the doctrinal differences, the depth of theological convictions, and the distinctiveness and
