the church The Power of Erosion May 25, 2018 Erosion isn't only an ecological problem it's ecclesiological too -- that is, it's a problem in the church
Hospitality A Kindness Repaid May 22, 2018 In my last post I wrote of David's kindness to Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan: the King's best friend's boy feasted at the palace table for
Church Planting Visions May 21, 2018 At the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, I began teaching a one-week, intensive church planting course today. Though I was working on another post, I decided to postpone it for another time so I
A Voice for the Voiceless May 20, 2018 [On the 25th May Ireland votes to retain in or repeal from its Constitution the equal right to life of the unborn child.] You can’t be a little bit pregnant and you
A desperately ill baby and the secret plan of God May 18, 2018 We have a baby in our congregation who was born very prematurely – at just 27 weeks – and in the few weeks since his birth he has had many serious problems. A rampant bowel
God Uses a Hot Breakfast May 17, 2018 I always love it when an older minister submits a story reminding us of God's faithfulness as he delights to work in the church. Below is such a story, a guest
Cross 3GT Episode 84: Forsaken May 15, 2018 This episode comes to you in two parts. First, the guys discuss what transpired at the cross when Jesus said, "My God, my God, why have you forsakeen me?" How is
The Math Language of Revelation May 14, 2018 When I taught algebra, trigonometry, and calculus to high school and college students, I would often say to them that math is a language. Math follows certain grammatical rules. Often the trouble students
Brotherly Love Will you remember to be kind? May 12, 2018 From a human point of view it would have been understandable if David had felt that there were more pressing matters to attend to - he had to run a kingdom and propagate
Brotherly Love Refreshing the Saints May 11, 2018 There's a challenge in that for all of us. What am I to my brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus? Do I refresh or weary them? Do I give rest or restlessness? Am I a comfort or an anxiety? Am I blessing to those who I am bound in the gospel or a burden?
A Word to New Seminary Graduates May 10, 2018 I have noticed via my social media that several seminaries that I love and respect have had commencement recently. Others are still preparing for their commencement ceremonies. Congratulations. The pursuit of theological education
Black and White Pictures May 07, 2018 In the past few years, discussions regarding racial issues, particularly between black and white Americans, have intensified in volume and number. What explains this phenomenon? Though no simple answer exists, certain factors have
ministry Handling Sinners the Gospel Way - Part I May 05, 2018 When Christians stray or lapse the response of fellow-believers may vary from merciless gossip to public humiliation. The press and the world will come down on them like a ton of bricks. False
3GT Episode 83: This is My Story! May 01, 2018 Faith journey. Missional living. Glory story. Clearly the pastor does not like these terms very much. But he wonders out loud if there is a place for sharing testimonies? So he engages the
John Calvin and the "Awful" Doctrine of Predestination April 30, 2018 If there is one teaching that the name of John Calvin invokes, it is that of predestination. Wikipedia, certainly no theological publication, at one point began its definition of predestination by mentioning only
Musings Junk Kouture for Real April 28, 2018 It’s that time of year when students turn junk into incredible outfits for the Junk Kouture design competition. Each year I’m amazed at what can be done with scrap. It seems
Christian living The Limits of 1 Timothy 2:11-12 April 26, 2018 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:
3GT Episode 82: Hell? Yes. April 24, 2018 Pope Francis recently created a stir, as he was quoted as saying, "A hell does not exist; the disappearance of the souls of sinners exists." So the parishioner wants to know
Evangelistic Services April 23, 2018 As I shared last week, over the past two Sunday evenings our congregation hosted evangelistic services we called Stories of Hope [https://gentlereformation.com/2018/04/17/stories-of-hope-2/]. Last night we had another
Christian living Deliverance is Near! April 21, 2018 Introduction Have you woken up this morning in fear, alarmed or anxious? Have dire straits hemmed you in or do you wonder if you're safe? Are the pressures so enormous that
Poverty How the Proverbs Turn Poverty into Prosperity April 19, 2018 It’s an election year in the United States, which means politicians across the country will trot out plans to help Americans “get ahead” with either new spending programs, more tax breaks, or
Stories of Hope 2018 April 17, 2018 Our congregation in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, for the past four years has sponsored on a few Sunday evenings in April evangelistic services we call Stories of Hope. After encouraging the congregation in a
Corporate Worship 3GT Episode 81: The Horizontal in Worship April 17, 2018 Worship is first and foremost vertical as it is directed to God through Christ by His Spirit. Yet is there a horizontal dimension to it? Does corporate worship bring mutual edification and, if
Extreme Takeover April 16, 2018 A few years ago, the community where I lived was abuzz with the news that the television program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition had come to our area and filmed an episode. A family
Messianic Politics April 11, 2018 I cringe when I hear/read political advocacy which says something like, “If Jesus was alive today, he would support this policy …” The first part of such statements denies the core biblical truth
