I am often asked what churches and individual Christians can do to care for and comfort those who are enduring times of grief. It is a question I am always glad to receive and one I am always glad to attempt to answer. And there is a lot individuals and communities can do to bring…
Christianity is a religion of faith—we must put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). In faith we rest in Christ, trusting that his work and not our own has brought…
Local news recently reported on a man who had made a long and difficult journey to Canada. He had been invited and persuaded by some of his fellow countrymen, people who had already made the same journey themselves. They told him it would be worth the difficulty of escaping a controlling regime, the troubles of…
I am thrilled to be able to introduce you to my next book! It is titled Pilgrim Prayers: Devotional Poems That Awaken Your Heart to the Goodness, Greatness, and Glory of God. It will be available on September 10 from wherever good books are sold.
No man should become an elder who is not willing to be an elder, and no man should become an elder who is not qualified to be an elder. A man must be willing to take up the task and he must be qualified to do so. A church has no business cajoling a man…
Sometimes in life we puzzle over God’s will for us. Sometimes we have to make momentous decisions that may alter the course of our lives and the course of other people’s. In those moments we may scour the Bible looking for something, anything, to direct our way; something, anything, to give us confidence that we…
There is nothing wrong with being purposeful in our reading. Do you want to be a better dad? Then read a book about fatherhood. Do you want to have a better marriage? Then read a book about marriage. Do you want to come to a deeper understanding of the attributes of God? Then read a…
Sir Walter Raleigh filled many roles and wore many hats over the course of his life, among them politician, soldier, and writer. But he is best known to history as an explorer. In 1584, Queen Elizabeth granted him a charter to explore, colonize, and rule any “remote, heathen and barbarous lands, countries and territories, not…
Wait, don’t click the “back” button! I’d like you to keep reading so I can tell you about Ronda—sweet Ronda who just went to be with Jesus. I am certain you will find yourself blessed and encouraged if you press on. Ronda was born special. She was special in the sense of being unique and…
We have entered into an age in which many people are leaving behind their printed Bibles in favor of digital equivalents. Any new technology introduces both benefits and drawbacks, and while there are many wonderful features that come with our digital Bibles, there is this downside: Our Bibles are no longer a visible demonstration of…
We never know what a season will bring, what a month will bring, or even what a day will bring. The recent circumstances of people I love have got me thinking about the uncertain nature of living in this world. Some had the greatest spring of their lives only to find it followed by the…
As another month draws to its close, I want to make sure you’re up-to-date on some of the noteworthy new Christian books that released in July. In each case I have provided the editorial description so you can learn a little bit about it.
One of the simplest of all skills has evaded me for much of my adult life. One of those skills that most babies master in their earliest days seems to have mostly passed me by. One of the most basic of all talents has become my greatest battle. I’m referring, of course, to sleep. Though…
The Bible is, by its very nature, a collection—a collection of histories, biographies, letters, prophecies, and poetry written across about 1,500 years in many different settings and many different cultures. You might wonder, why these books and why not others? What binds together the sixty-six books that together make up the book is that they…
Of all the Christian disciplines, it is my guess that meditation may be the least practiced—though I suppose fasting might have something to say about that. Most people diligently make time to read the Bible and pray. And yet, while most people have good intentions when it comes to meditation, it so often seems to…
It’s a question I encounter often: How can I read more? Or in a similar vein, how can I come to enjoy reading enough that I do more of it? How can I become a committed reader?
The Bible has life and the Bible brings life because it has been spoken by God. The Bible’s life, its voice, its feet, and hands are the life, voice, feet, and hands of God extended toward his people. For that reason among others it is always worthy of our time, our attention, and our dedication.
This week Free Stuff Fridays is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For the Church Institute is a free online platform from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary designed to provide free and accessible theological training to equip, encourage, and edify local churches. Courses may be taken as a self-paced individual or as a group within your…
It is a conversation I had with my son-in-law while he was pursuing my daughter and expressing his interest in marrying her. It is a conversation I will need to have with a second son-in-law if the day comes when he expresses his interest in marrying my other daughter. It is a conversation about the…
Among my responsibilities as an elder/pastor within a local church is meeting with people to offer counsel and guidance. I have never lost the wonder of being given so sobering a privilege—to listen to people as they share their deep sorrows or ask their big questions and to then attempt to bring the Word of…