Five Ways to Debate Same Sex Marriage

Five Ways to Debate Same Sex Marriage - Jim Denison provides simple responses to complex arguments in this installment of his daily observations.

When Tolerance Turns to Coerced Celebration

When Tolerance Turns to Coerced Celebration - It's a big deal!

10 Ways to Love Your Neighbor

10 Ways to Love Your Neighbor - Living out the Great Commission means loving your neighbor: Apartment Life does this well.

Five Truths About the Resurrection of Jesus

Five Truths About the Resurrection of Jesus – The article will provide a broader view of the resurrection than you may have considered before.

Hell Glorifies God

Hell Glorifies God – This article breaks out details from a new book about hell and gives you the application outline of the title.

The Jesus Lens or the Jesus Tea-Strainer?

The Jesus Lens or the Jesus Tea-Strainer? – This article speaks to the pattern of many popular “Bible-speakers” of using their personal, perceived “Jesus Lens” to edit what the Bible actually says.

Surface Appearances

Surface Appearances – Doug Wilson, writing about the Son of God movie shares this bit of descriptive gold in his blog, “We have yet another Jesus who perpetuates our perennial and mule-headed idea that holiness consists of one part anemia, one part effeminacy, two parts stoner-mystique, and one part slight constipation, this time with a British accent. But I don’t want a Russell Brand Jesus.”

Discipling Your Kids Is More than Family Devotions

Discipling Your Kids Is More than Family Devotions - It is all day and all the time.

Preparing Teens for College (And Adulthood)

Preparing Teens for College (And Adulthood) – “While we pray and instruct them about the kingdom of God, we also prepare them to live fruitfully in the kingdom of man. The two are not disconnected.”

Strengthen the Things that Remain

Strengthen the Things that Remain - Al Mohler spoke recently at Brigham Young University.  This article is the text of his speech. It includes this, “The presence of the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary behind the podium at Brigham Young University requires some explanation. I come as an evangelical Christian, committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the trinitarian beliefs of the historic Christian faith.”

10 Connections Between Jesus and the Kingdom of God

10 Connections Between Jesus and the Kingdom of God - “The kingdom of God is, in essence, God's redemptive reign. Yet it can be
easy to overlook this prominent theme in the life of Jesus, and tempting to
assume rather than investigate the importance of the kingdom for Jesus.”

Will America Be Judged?

Will America Be Judged? – This is an interesting article by John Piper on God’s judgment and specifically on nations.

Resolve to Think About Death

Resolve to Think About Death – “Death, as a concept in the Bible, is rich like blood.  It is layered with purpose, needed for life and so teeming with meaning that it is hard for many of us to look long at it.  If we would just look a little longer though, what would we discover?”

Infographic: Every dream in the Bible

Infographic: Every dream in the Bible – Every dream in the Bible and what they mean.

Son of God Will Show Crucifixion, Not the Cross

Son of God Will Show Crucifixion, Not the Cross – Tim Challies writes, “The cross of Christ is not less than the crucifixion, but it is certainly far, far more. Don’t believe you understand more about the cross by witnessing a dramatic recreation of the crucifixion.”

Why I Quit Tithing Years Ago

Why I Quit Tithing Years Ago and Why You Should Too – There…I said it. This is a good read and will challenge some thinking.

Caesar, Coercion, and the Christian Conscience: A Dangerous Confusion

Caesar, Coercion, and the Christian Conscience: A Dangerous Confusion – Al Mohler writes about the controversy for Christians over same sex marriages.

A Prayer of Hope

A Prayer of Hope - Perhaps this is the prayer you need to offer to the Lord today.

What Expiation Means for You (4 Things)

What Expiation Means for You (4 Things) - For many this is a vague theological term. Trevon Wax brings it to encouraging practical application.

What Expiation Means for You (4 Things)

What Expiation Means for You (4 Things) - For many this is a vague theological term. Trevon Wax brings it to encouraging practical application.

7 Simple Ideas to Strengthen Your Marriage

7 Simple Ideas to Strengthen Your Marriage – These practical encouragements are worth noting and passing on.

There’s Nothing Short About Short-Term Missions

There’s Nothing Short About Short-Term Missions – Here’s an interesting perspective on short-term missions efforts.

Two Very Different Ways to Treat Sinners

Two Very Different Ways to Treat Sinners – Paul Tautges writes, “There are basically two different ways we treat fellow sinners. “

The Closing Ceremonies and the End of History

The Closing Ceremonies and the End of History – Sunday evening brings the closing ceremonies of the Olympic games. Here is a strong devotional thought on that theme.

The Four Legs of Marriage

The Four Legs of Marriage – “For a marriage to be stable, secure, and solid, it needs four legs. Anything less, and the marriage starts to fall over and crash.” Good encouragements for marriages.

What Dead Abel Speaks to Us

What Dead Abel Speaks to Us – The story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 tells much more about Cain than Abel. In fact, not one word is recorded from living Abel. But the author of Hebrews says that, “through [Abel’s] faith, though he died, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4). So what is dead Abel speaking to us?

In Her Shoes

In Her Shoes - Here is some help in ministering to those who are grieving after losing a child.

Smartphones Make You Tired and Unproductive, Study Says

Smartphones Make You Tired and Unproductive, Study Says – This Wall Street Journal article may be of interest to many of us.

Your Calling Isn’t Meant to Be Easy

Your Calling Isn’t Meant to Be Easy – “If I was following God’s plan and the leading of the Holy Spirit shouldn’t pursuing my God-inspired dreams have been easy?” Not exactly.

Feeling Forsaken: Thoughts on Psalm 22

Feeling Forsaken: Thoughts on Psalm 22 – The article shares some good thoughts for hard times.

The Greatest Victory in All of History

The Greatest Victory in All of History – This brief article shares a defense of the cross of Christ with quotes from John Stott.

Seven Traits of a Successful Employee

Seven Traits of a Successful Employee - These are good reminders of what it means to work in ways that honor the Lord and bless our work environments.

The Danger of Forgetting How to Read the Bible

The Danger of Forgetting How to Read the Bible - This is a good word for those who have been believers and Bible-readers for a long time.

Psalm 34

Psalm 34 - Psalm 34 is one of a few acrostic psalms in the Bible. This is a nice infographic and explanation to show that our translations can't always capture the full beauty of a biblical text.

You're Not A Superhero

You're Not A Superhero - Deep down we know we have limitation but don't we often try to live as if we can control the world around us? Paul Tripp explains things well in this article.

Is Homosexual Orientation Sinful?

Is Homosexual Orientation Sinful? - In contemporary discussions of homosexuality, it is commonplace to distinguish homosexual orientation from homosexual behavior. Denny Burk asks, “What does the Bible say?” It is a good presentation.

The Antichrist

The Antichrist – David Murray is kicking off what looks to be an interesting series on a topic we don’t talk about much because of the frequent abuses in the past. 

Was Abraham Lincoln a Christian?

Was Abraham Lincoln a Christian? - This is a short interview with Allen Guellzo, author of the
intellectual biography Abraham
Lincoln: Redeemer
President, which goes into detail about Lincoln’s views on religion. It
is very interesting.

If You Don’t Have a Dramatic Testimony

If You Don’t Have a Dramatic Testimony – My favorite part of this article is the paragraph that begins, “Saved from Sex and Drugs – At Age 6”. 

Roma Downey Explains Why the Devil Was Cut Out of ‘Son of God’ Movie

Roma Downey Explains Why the Devil Was Cut Out of ‘Son of God’ Movie – I think I could develop a whole series of sermons ideas on this one brief article…yes, no, maybe?

The High Cost of Multitasking

The High Cost of Multitasking [infographic] – For all of us multi-taskers…this is sobering.

A Tender Word for Pharisees

A Tender Word for Pharisees – Often Jesus spoke hard and harsh words to the Pharisees. In the parable of the lost son, John Piper shares a tender word for Pharisees from Jesus.

Humility

Humility – The author writes, “I realized how invasive humility is in the Scriptures and far away we’ve moved from that truth. True Christianity leaves no room for self. None.”

What Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Says About Us

What Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Says About Us - (Spoiler Alert: It doesn't say good things).

Five Life and Leadership Lessons Where I Still Mess Up

Five Life and Leadership Lessons Where I Still Mess Up - Thom Rainer shares a list that is easy to identify with and good to be reminded of.

9 Things You Should Know About George Washington (and his Birthday)

9 Things You Should Know About George Washington (and his Birthday) - You may not know as much as you think you do about our first President.

8 Characteristics of Great Teammates

8 Characteristics of Great Teammates – This makes for a good leadership article.

A Prayer Acknowledging Just How Short Our Lives Are

A Prayer Acknowledging Just How Short Our Lives Are - How are you spending/investing your life?

When Hearts Are Tuned to Worship

When Hearts Are Tuned to Worship – What is happening in our worship of God?

Reframing Boundaries in Dating

Reframing Boundaries in Dating - “Boundaries do not so much stifle romance as empower healthy romantic
intimacy. They do not so much keep people out as hold you together as you grow
in relational intimacy.”

Marriage, Divorce, and the Church: What Do the Stats Say, and Can Marriage be Happy?

Marriage, Divorce, and the Church: What Do the Stats Say, and Can Marriage be Happy? – “Are Christian divorce rates the same, or even higher, than the rest of the population? Is a happy marriage possible?” The truth may be different than what you’ve been hearing.

Three Benefits of Discipleship

Three Benefits of Discipleship– While written about a women’s Bible study, it’s true for men as well.

What You Don’t Need to Forgive

What You Don’t Need to Forgive – The author writes, “Not everything that bothers or annoys us needs to be forgiven. Forgiveness is only for moral offenses. When we try to use forgiveness as the method to resolve relational irritants that are not moral in nature several bad things happen.”

What We Talk Like When We Talk About God

What We Talk Like When We Talk About God - “Certainly one can be
self-centered inside a church gathering, but the church gathering is
nevertheless where all the sinners ought to be at the appointed time, smack-dab
in the middle of a congregational experience specifically organized
against the idolatry of personal preference.”

How to Be There When Your Friend Is Suffering

How to Be There When Your Friend Is Suffering – “When someone you love is hurting, it can sometimes feel hard to know what to do or say without sounding trite. How can we love others through suffering without platitudes?”

What Are We Fighting About? Guidance for Confused Couples

What Are We Fighting About? Guidance for Confused Couples – Brad Hambrick writes, “There are four types of disagreements that a couple can have. We will discuss them in the order from most to least difficult to resolve. This will help us answer our second question, ‘How significant is our disagreement?’”

5 Problems With Valentine's Day

5 Problems With Valentine's Day – "There's nothing wrong with celebrating love, but here are a few issues with this holiday."

Looking to Christ in the Loss of a Child

Looking to Christ in the Loss of a Child – “In Christ, grief will not have the last word.”

Gifts of the Spirit in the Old Testament

Gifts of the Spirit in the Old Testament – “The Old Testament has many things to say about the work of the Holy Spirit on the cosmos, the individual, and the theocratic level.”

Five Lies About Your Body

Five Lies About Your Body - The article gives biblical reference to the truth about our bodies.

Annoying Things in Worship Songs

Annoying Things in Worship Songs - This one was too good to pass up. Be sure and explore the examples of annoying worship songs by clicking on each link.

Kids Are Addicted to Social Media Because Parents Are Addicted to Contro

Kids Are Addicted to Social Media Because Parents Are Addicted to Control – Challenging thoughts on social media and the parent’s involvement in the problems.

Reflections on “What Can Miserable Christians Sing?”

Reflections on “What Can Miserable Christians Sing?” - Carl Trueman reflects on a topic not often discussed but certainly present in Scripture.

The Biblical Meaning of Success

The Biblical Meaning of Success - “Success, defined as being the master of one's own destiny, has become an
idol.” What can we learn from Jesus’ parable of the talents?

9 Things You Should Know About Marriage in America

9 Things You Should Know About Marriage in America - The list is really interesting and reflects some major shifts in how Americans are approaching marriage.

9 Things You Should Know About Marriage in America

9 Things You Should Know About Marriage in America - The list is really interesting and reflects some major shifts in how Americans are approaching marriage.

What’s Your Gospel Response Plan (GRP)?

What’s Your Gospel Response Plan (GRP)? – Tim Brister writes, “The problem we have today, I fear, is that most Christians do not have a developed gospel response plan and, therefore, there is no functional repentance and faith response when things happen (internally or externally) in their lives. The default, then, is to look somewhere other than Jesus in our response. And this, I find, is a massive discipleship breakdown for believers.”

See the article…

The Church as a Mosaic

The Church as a Mosaic – This is an interesting article on cultural diversity within churches. It provides a wide angle view of the  issues that is helpful for discussion.

Bind My Wandering Heart to Thee

Bind My Wandering Heart to Thee – Jon Bloom shares a great thought from one of my favorite hymns and my favorite verse of the hymn.

A Prayer When Feeling Disheartened, Weary, and Angry

A Prayer When Feeling Disheartened, Weary, and Angry - As you move into the new week, this may help you express some things to the Lord.

When Distractions Keep Us from Our Kids

When Distractions Keep Us from Our Kids – Another good article from Christina Fox.

Do You Feel Tension in the Christian Life?

Do You Feel Tension in the Christian Life? - “The Christian life can feel
schizophrenic. It isn’t hard to recognize that there are numerous tensions
filling the Christian life.”

How to Create a Culture of Evangelism

How to Create a Culture of Evangelism - It's much more than a program or seasonal emphasis.

Lessons Learned in the School of Suffering

Lessons Learned in the School of Suffering – This is from the personal testimony of someone who has been in such a “school”.

Pithy Statements that Confront My Heart’s Idolatries

Pithy Statements that Confront My Heart’s Idolatries – Paul Tautges shares several lessons of the heart from Book of James.

So Much More Than Manners

So Much More Than Manners – “Thankfulness is so much more than manners; it is bound up with godliness and worship in every area of our lives.”

The End of Cultural Christianity

The End of Cultural Christianity – Interesting article from Baptist Press and comments by Al Mohler on cultural Christianity.

Four Occasions When You Should Not Respond to a Critic

Four Occasions When You Should Not Respond to a Critic - Most of us face criticism. Here are four ways to evaluate the need to respond.

Marriage as Friendship

Marriage as Friendship – Mark Driscoll writes on the meaning of friendship in marriages.

Dear Donald Miller

Dear Donald Miller - This is one of several responses to Donald Miller's recent controversial post focusing on his lack of need for the church.

Facebook Is Now More Widely Read than the Bible

Facebook Is Now More Widely Read than the Bible – Is this true for you?

The Central Worldview Clash of the Ham-Nye Debate

The Central Worldview Clash of the Ham-Nye Debate – Al Mohler comments on the much publicized debate that occurred this week.

7 Mistakes Leaders Make

7 Mistakes Leaders Make - This article would apply to any influencer.

The Most Damaging Attitude in Our Churches

The Most Damaging Attitude in Our Churches – Why subtle cynicism doesn't look like Jesus.

William Lane Craig: God Hears Your Super Bowl Prayers

William Lane Craig: God Hears Your Super Bowl Prayers – I found this discussion interesting. The Biola apologist says every pass, every point, every sideline prayer matters to God.

Bible Translations and Bible Reading

Bible Translations and Bible Reading - Here is some helpful information on Bible translations and encouragements in your Bible reading.

Books of the Bible

9 Things You Should Know About Black History Month

9 Things You Should Know About Black History Month - Every February Americans observe Black History Month, a time set aside to
celebrate the contributions that African Americans have made to American
history. Here are nine things you need to know about the history of the
observance:

A Prayer for the Reign of Christ’s Peace in Our Hearts

A Prayer for the Reign of Christ’s Peace in Our Hearts - Scotty Smith's prayer today gives a clear description of biblical peace.

Eternity Changes Everything

Eternity Changes Everything – “All Christians go to heaven. But some leap and stride into paradise from their deathbeds — peaceful, confident, and happy. Others limp and shuffle — clinging, denying, and frightened. Why the difference?”

The Crux of the Matter

The Crux of the Matter – The issue is often discussed and debated as to whether Jesus (and others in the first century were crucified naked. This article provides some answers.

No, Women Don’t Make Less Money Than Men

No, Women Don’t Make Less Money Than Men – “It’s the bogus statistic that won’t die—and president deployed it during the State of the Union—but women do not make 77 cents to every dollar a man earns.”

Free AudioBook: “When Helping Hurts”

Free AudioBook of the Month: “When Helping Hurts” - If you have not read this book, I would encourage you to do so…and it is
free!

This is What I Love about the Psalms

“This is what I love about the Psalms” – Paul Tripp provides a good, short description of what the book of Psalms is all about.

Eight Diagnostic Questions to Ask Those Who Are Doubting Their Faith

Eight Diagnostic Questions to Ask Those Who Are Doubting Their Faith - These might be helpful in getting to the source of doubts.