Samson The Comfort of Samson July 21, 2021 Judges is one of those books of the Bible we tend to read at a distance. And yet it provides some exquisite comfort. Perhaps one of the clearest encouragements is found in the conflicted character: Samson.
Temptation of Christ Psalm 63 and the Temptation of Christ May 19, 2021 The Psalms are about Christ, some less obviously so than others. Psalm 63 provides an anatomy of what Christ was experiencing during his temptation.
spiritual warfare Reading about Spiritual Warfare? April 08, 2021 I am regularly asked: “What should I read on spiritual warfare from a reformed perspective?” or some variation thereof. We consider three helpful contemporary works on the subject.
humility Still More Humility March 11, 2021 We can have too much of a good thing. But this side of glory, God's children never find themselves experiencing “too much humility”.
Sexuality Sexuality?? Interaction?? Gender? February 22, 2021 As I prepare to speak at an upcoming men’s retreat, I’ve encountered some befuddling conversations surrounding my proposed topic: “Holy Sexuality: Serving God with our Gender”. The questions quickly revealed that I had not communicated well in the titling process!
sickness Visiting the Sick January 14, 2021 I recently spoke at Seminary Women on visiting the sick and hospitalized. It comes at a tragically unique time in history when our ability to visit is greatly diminished.
Rest A Word for the Weary November 12, 2020 "Weary" is the exact word that describes our experience. We grow so exhausted and the stacks of work can be crushingly burdensome. Are you with me in this, dear Christian, or am I alone in growing tired?
suffering The Uniqueness of Christian Suffering October 08, 2020 We often hear that Christians do not suffer any more than non-Christians—that suffering is no respecter of persons. But if we think about this notion a bit more critically, we can easily see that there are additional sufferings afforded to the believer.
Pride Serving With Pride September 29, 2020 As we serve Christ and his church, there always remains crouching right beside us whispering in our ear, that companion in our service: love of self.
Distance Education Apostolic Authority & Online Learning August 13, 2020 As more and more schools this academic year will use a digital platform, and online learning is here to stay, let us consider the theological legitimacy of conducting school via distance.
freedom The Voice of Freedom July 29, 2020 Whose voice have you been hearing the most: the voice of Freedom or that of Oppression?
prayer Great Power in its Effects May 26, 2020 “I’ll pray for you”. Do those words feel like throw-away offerings of help when you don’t know what to say? Or do you ever feel bashful as you offer those words of promise? What then is the value of prayer...
Fear Fear of a Changing World March 17, 2020 We are experiencing strange times. It’s hard to read the news without being tempted to fear. If ever there is a time to counsel our own hearts away from anxiety it is likely now.
Satan Our Enemy February 05, 2020 In our circles, we don't particularly like to think about angels and demons. We like a faith that is a little less supernatural than biblical Christianity presents, because unseen realities external to us are unsettling. After all, we can't see them, and we don’t like that!
Death Domesticating Death November 19, 2019 Last month, death unwelcomely inserted itself into my family's life. Death has a way of doing that. It barges right in, uninvited, disrupting life. It rudely divides families, and leaves those who remain behind mourning, sorrowful, and diminished...
ethics God Says it...That Settles it? September 17, 2019 I'm sure many can recall the bumper sticker, "God says it, I believe it, that settles it". Unfortunately the typical response to this clichéd Christian catchphrase still makes the rounds in reformed and evangelical churches today...
Church Discipline Loving Discipline August 31, 2019 I remember my very first Presbytery meeting well—not because it was my first—but because a pastor was under discipline due to grievous sin. There is nothing quite like that experience...
gossip When to Get Involved July 30, 2019 We are naturally curious, with an innate desire to understand and come to greater knowledge. As such, we long to be included. But when is it good to get involved in someone else’s business, and when is it better to keep out?
women Women, Your Voice is Needed May 29, 2019 The question often comes up: “what role do women play in the church?” While I don’t suppose we can solve the question presently, we can begin to address one element of that question from Acts 18:24-26.
suffering Never let a "good" affliction go to waste! March 29, 2019 In 2006, John Piper wrote a helpful piece entitled "Don't Waste Your Cancer". The same spiritual truths undergirding his point ought to be applied to every affliction believers face. If we fail to pursue and receive spiritual good in our trials, we waste our affliction.
truthfulness Speaking with the Tongue of our Father January 31, 2019 Have you noticed how easily we stretch the truth? Exaggerate a little here, embellish a bit there, liven our story with some additions peppered throughout? Okay, let's be honest: we lie!
