Monday, October 31, 2016

Take Halloween Captive

Take Halloween Captive“There are always questions and concerns that arrive for Christians around Halloween. Instead of approaching it with fear and unsurity, David Mathis encourages the church to step towards Halloween with confidence in the King. “

Insecurity and Assurance of Salvation

Insecurity and Assurance of Salvation“Real assurance rests on a sound understanding of salvation, a sound understanding of justification, a sound understanding of sanctification, and a sound understanding of ourselves.”

Reformation Day Reflections for Today’s Church

Reformation Day Reflections for Today’s Church – Here are some excellent application points for today’s believers.

God’s Call to Leave This American Mess

God’s Call to Leave This American Mess – “God has used messes and stresses before to move his people out of their comforts into missions.”

What Is Reformation Day?

What Is Reformation Day? – “A single event on a single day changed the world. It was October 31, 1517. Brother Martin, a monk and a scholar, had struggled for years with his church, the church in Rome. He had been greatly disturbed by an unprecedented indulgence sale. The story has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. Let’s meet the cast.”

No Bigots Need Book An Airbnb Room

No Bigots Need Book An Airbnb Room – Rod Dreher comments on Airbnb’s Community Commitment which is meant to fight bias and discrimination.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

How Should Christians Handle Disagreement Over Halloween?

How Should Christians Handle Disagreement Over Halloween?Russell Moore provides wise and balanced counsel on what can be a controversial topic.

The Greatest Act of Spiritual Warfare

The Greatest Act of Spiritual Warfare – “Christian love is the force most threatening to Satan’s kingdom and therefore what he seeks most to disarm and destroy.”

4 Great Reasons to Read Romans

4 Great Reasons to Read Romans “All roads in the Bible lead to Romans, and all views afforded by the Bible are seen most clearly from Romans, and when the message of Romans gets into a person’s heart there is no telling what may happen.”

We’re Stealing it Back

We’re Stealing it Back “ If the Devil is somehow pleased by two little girls dressing up like princesses and getting candy from their neighbors, he’s a bigger idiot than I realized.”

19 Possible Motive-Triggers for Pornography

19 Possible Motive-Triggers for Pornography “Often triggers and motive are treated as two distinct things, and there are differences. But those differences are more akin to two sides of the same coin than apples and oranges. In this post you will examine the things that trigger your sexual sin and the motives attached to those triggers.”

4 Keys to Kindling Your Love for the Book of Revelation

4 Keys to Kindling Your Love for the Book of Revelation – These are many of the reasons I love the Revelation.

Friday, October 28, 2016

The Continental Divide





The Continental Divide - This message by Tommy Nelson of Denton Bible Church is worth an hour of your time. I fear the content of the fifteen minutes of the sermon will be our new reality.

You're Not Meant to Live Pain Free

You're Not Meant to Live Pain Free - And you shouldn't want to.

Worthy of Honor

Worthy of Honor – “Do I live like God exists to honor me or like I am here to honor him?”

Do You Read the Bible Enough?

Do You Read the Bible Enough? – “More and more, we want God to liberate us from seeing the Bible as a burden or duty and instead to see it as an opportunity and delight.”

5 Truths from 10 Years of Discipleship Research

5 Truths from 10 Years of Discipleship ResearchThese are important reminders and encouragements as we seek to grow spiritually and grow others.

3 Common Sense Ways to Manage your Kids Screen Time

3 Common Sense Ways to Manage your Kids Screen Time – “There is a consistency in AAP’s statement, backed by years of research, that parents can use as a general guide even as technology changes.”

Thursday, October 27, 2016

What Job's Friends Did Right

What Job's Friends Did Right – While mostly remembered for their failures as friends, they did get a few things right.

Christians, This Is Our Night

Christians, This Is Our Night – “Christian neighbors, join me in leading our homes and churches out of fear and into joy. The harvest is great, and Halloween is a striking foil — for teaching our kids, and reminding ourselves — of who we are in Christ.”

What Good Can Come from Suffering?

What Good Can Come from Suffering?“God may give us the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but with them come extraordinary promises. Assurance that he hears and answers our prayers, the ability to see him and sense his presence, clear direction for our decisions, power to destroy sin and strongholds — these are staggering gifts.”

Canadian Gender-Neutral Pronoun Bill is a Warning for Americans

Canadian Gender-Neutral Pronoun Bill is a Warning for Americans – This is an interesting article with some video links provided. The issues are complicated.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

A Response To Christians Who Are Done With Church

A Response To Christians Who Are Done With Church – “You can’t disassociate from church as a Christian any more than you can disassociate from humanity as a person. You don’t go to church. You are the church.”

5 Building Blocks of Forgiveness

5 Building Blocks of Forgiveness – “Can you forgive?  Do you know yourself to be forgiven by God?  If you can’t forgive, you have not experienced God’s forgiveness.  Have you taken forgiveness for granted, or thought too little of it?  Come to Christ.”

Jesus' Comforts Are Not 'One Size Fits All'

Jesus' Comforts Are Not 'One Size Fits All' – Jesus provides an example of ministering to others in the uniqueness of their grief.

Laying R.I.P. to Rest

Laying R.I.P. to Rest - We hear the phrase often and use it too casually, even as believers. The author writes, “In a day when the biblical doctrine of
Hell has virtually disappeared from pulpits across the land, and the social
conventions of the time demand more seemingly congenial speech than the
Scriptures exemplify and require, we should give great personal examination to
what we are saying and why we are saying what we are saying.” 

What Should Be One of My Chief Aims at Church?

What Should Be One of My Chief Aims at Church? – Of all the things that happens at church, this should be the ongoing effort of us all.

What’s Your Budget For Staying Spiritually Healthy?

What’s Your Budget For Staying Spiritually Healthy? – This is a good perspective. We budget for a variety of priorities in our lives. What is budgeted for spiritual health?

Things Christians Just Don’t Get To Do

Things Christians Just Don’t Get To Do – “These are all things—just a few of the things—Christians don’t get to do. These are things we don’t get to do because they are associated with godlessness rather than godliness, with sin rather than salvation.”

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Hillary Needs To Meet More Women Who Have Had Late-Term Abortions

Hillary Needs To Meet More Women Who Have Had Late-Term Abortions - Many of the suffering from late-term abortions sat on their couches during the presidential debate waiting for a word spoken to them. Not one was heard.

How May We Glorify God?

How May We Glorify God? – We talk about it. Through what practical steps can we glorify God?

10 Things You should Know about Interpreting the Bible

10 Things You should Know about Interpreting the Bible “Today we look at 10 things we should know about how to interpret the Bible (or conversely, how not to interpret it). But before we begin, it’s important to remember that the Bible is not an answer-book that provides ready-made explanations for all problems or solutions to puzzling questions…” 

Monday, October 24, 2016

105 People Die Each Minute

105 People Die Each Minute – “How many will depart this life to a Christless eternity before you finish reading this article?”

Don’t Keep the Gospel to Yourself

Don’t Keep the Gospel to Yourself“We can agree that the kingdom is imminent, but it’s meaningless when our lives fail to reflect urgency. So consider these three questions.”

18 Things I Will Not Regret Doing With My Kids

18 Things I Will Not Regret Doing With My KidsTim Challies writes: “When that wave rises up, when I feel like I could drown beneath all that regret, I sometimes consider those things I will never regret.”

Is Your Gospel an Urban Legend?

Is Your Gospel an Urban Legend? “If you talk a big game about ‘the gospel,’ but don’t live like it’s true, the people you do life with will begin to suspect you don’t actually believe it. Worse yet, they may begin to disbelieve it themselves.”

Saturday, October 22, 2016

The Key to Evangelism in the 21st Century

The Key to Evangelism in the 21st Century – The idea is unusual, simple and probably right on target.

How My Parents Taught Me to Love the Church

How My Parents Taught Me to Love the Church “Whether you realize it or not, you’re teaching your kids a theology of the church with your time”…Here is a message a lot of kids are learning from parents, “THE CHURCH IS IMPORTANT, JUST NOT AS IMPORTANT AS KIDS ACTIVITIES.” 

Why the Local Church Really Matters

Why the Local Church Really Matters – “As you prepare to worship God tomorrow, consider his mercy and his grace in giving us the local church.”

Friday, October 21, 2016

The Most Unlikely Believer in the Bible

The Most Unlikely Believer in the Bible – “Now, perhaps the dying thief had nothing left to lose and so decided to make a sort of deathbed decision for Christ. This would surely take the gloss off of his faith. But such a thought only makes sense if we skim over the example of the dying thief without paying close attention to the context.”

A Loving God and the Existence of Hell

A Loving God and the Existence of HellRandy Alcorn writes, “I personally have studied the doctrine of Hell in the hopes of being able to come either to a position of universalism, or at very least the doctrine of annihilation. Unfortunately, I have not been able to do so and stay true to the Scripture I see.”

When There is Unexplained Distance in a Friendship

When There is Unexplained Distance in a Friendship “Christians, especially in friendship, avoiding the hard conversations is far more wounding than having them!”

Thursday, October 20, 2016

How to Talk with Your Parents About the Election

How to Talk with Your Parents About the Election – Here are four reflections on discussing the election with your parents.

When God Won't Take Away Your Anxiety

When God Won't Take Away Your Anxiety - How to move forward with an ongoing issue.

Prone to Wander

Prone to Wander – “When our heart overrides the testimony of conscience and tempts us to take the easy path. Or when it justifies our own selfishness. When instead of holding us accountable to God’s word, it gives us license to live like the world.”

Why You May Be Tempted To Neglect Your Church

Why You May Be Tempted To Neglect Your Church“God has made Christians to thrive and survive only in community. Lone Christians are dead Christians.”

Laboring For Maturity

Laboring For Maturity“Although physical maturity happens without our planning, Paul told the church at Colossae that spiritual maturity does not work that way.”  

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?

Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? – “The identity of Jesus in American Christianity largely depends on who you ask…They find bits and pieces about Jesus they like, discard those they dislike, and fashion their own “Jesus.” This Jesus tends to be whichever Christ is safe, convenient, and helpful for the individual’s life in the moment.”

The 3rd Debate, the Perfect King, and Great Peace

The 3rd Debate, the Perfect King, and Great PeaceThis is a good prayer thought for today.

Divine Remedies for Anxiety

Divine Remedies for Anxiety“We are instructed to worry about nothing and pray about everything. Paul used four different words to explain what he means by praying about everything. This describes the four ways we should pray about everything.”

Should Christians Feel Guilty All the Time?

Should Christians Feel Guilty All the Time?“There are plenty of Christians who rarely feel the sting of conscience or the pangs of regret. But I also know many Christians who easily feel bad for all the things they are not doing or are doing less than perfectly. In fact, I’m convinced most serious Christians live their lives with an almost constant low-level sense of guilt..”

10 Tips for Leading Kids to Christ

10 Tips for Leading Kids to Christ“If you are seeking to influence little ones toward Christ, you might find these ten tips helpful.”

When Sin Keeps You From Prayer

When Sin Keeps You From Prayer – “Here are some thoughts to navigate a path of prayer through the fog of guilt.”


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

What Is the Tree of Life?

What Is the Tree of Life?Randy Alcorn provides a simple, biblical overview.

Why Parenting Strategies Won't Work

Why Parenting Strategies Won't Work – “But this list isn't comprised of strategies or techniques: these are 14 big-picture themes in Scripture that, when properly understood, can change the way you understand God’s call on you as a parent.”

3 Awful Features of Roman Sexual Morality

3 Awful Features of Roman Sexual Morality – “Our early Christian ancestors did not confess biblical chastity in a safe culture that naturally agreed with them. The sexual morality they taught and practiced stood out as unnatural to the Roman world… Christian sexual ethics that limited intercourse to the marriage of a man and a woman were not merely different from Roman ethics; they were utterly against Roman ideals of virtue and love.”

Lifting Your Soul

Lifting Your Soul“We often we hear the psalmist speaking of “lifting his soul” to the Lord. Yet what does it mean to lift your soul? How do you actually do this?”

9 Things About Margaret Sanger

9 Things About Margaret Sanger“This weekend Planned Parenthood celebrated its 100th anniversary, commemorating the day that Margaret Sanger, the organization’s founder, opened the first birth control clinic in America. Although Planned Parenthood has attempted to distance itself from Sanger’s more illiberal views, they still praise her role and annually give the Margaret Sanger Award—the organization’s highest honor—to “recognize leadership, excellence, and outstanding contributions to the reproductive health and rights movement.” (When Hillary Clinton won the award in 2009 she said, “I admire Margaret Sanger enormously. Her courage, her tenacity, her vision. . . . I am really in awe of her.”) Who was Sanger? Here are nine things you should know about one of the 20th century’s most controversial figures.”

Thank You, Donald and Hillary, for Reminding Me to Discuss Some Things With My Girls Today

Thank You, Donald and Hillary, for Reminding Me to Discuss Some Things With My Girls Today – “It’s awkward and horrible that it’s our reality, but it all needs to be said.” This parenting conversation needs to take place.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Pray. Give. Go.

Pray. Give. Go. – “With over 2.8 billion people in the world who still lack access to the gospel, church leaders and followers of Christ across North America cannot settle for anything less than intentional calls for the members of our congregations to pray passionately, give sacrificially, and go intentionally for the glory of Christ among all peoples.”

Joy Comes In The Morning, But Not Tomorrow

Joy Comes In The Morning, But Not Tomorrow – “Joy comes in the morning. But when does morning come?.”

Rejoice Even Though

Rejoice Even Though – “Consider the objects of real joy, the reasons for joy, and the challenges to joy — joy in . . . joy because . . . and joy even though.”

Dallas Church Criticized for Disciplining Gay Member

Dallas Church Criticized for Disciplining Gay Member - “Gay rights have become civil rights in our culture,
prompting critics to lambast Christians for holding to biblical truth and
morality.”

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Nine Attributes of a Real Man

Nine Attributes of a Real Man – “How do we understand what masculinity is when it appears so convoluted everywhere we look?”

The New Standard for Forgiveness

The New Standard for Forgiveness – “The refusal to forgive is a common problem among professing Christians and the #1 reason many conflicts remain unresolved. Therefore, it is essential for every believer to consider the most significant passage in the New Testament on this topic.”

Do Not Add to the Offense of the Gospel

Do Not Add to the Offense of the Gospel“We cannot remove altogether what the New Testament calls the offense of the gospel because the gospel does call people to repentance, and people are threatened by that. But it is important that we not add unnecessarily to the offense that is built into the message of sin and redemption.” 

The Joy of Being a Christian

The Joy of Being a ChristianDo you know and do you feel the joy of being a Christian?

Friday, October 14, 2016

Multi-Faith Leaders Ask Pres. Obama to Reject a Report That Calls Religious Freedom Discriminatory

Multi-Faith Leaders Ask Pres. Obama to Reject a Report That Calls Religious Freedom Discriminatory - This is a brief summary but the report is a big deal and shows a growing trend in our government views of religious liberty.

Why Multigenerational Community Matters

Why Multigenerational Community Matters – Here are four multi-generational principles at work in 1 Timothy 5:1-2.

Parents, Let Your ‘No’ Be ‘No’

Parents, Let Your ‘No’ Be ‘No’“Jesus says, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37). It is straightforward, yet many people, including parents, fail to practice it consistently. As a consequence, we witness trouble — on domestic flights, in church hallways, and at restaurants — wherever children are testing whether the parents’ no really means no.”

King Jesus or King Money?

King Jesus or King Money? – “This is why giving should be the first priority of the citizen’s budget. Not the last. Not the leftovers. Do that and King Money stays on the throne. Make it the first priority.”

6 Ways to Transform Your Reading of the Gospels

6 Ways to Transform Your Reading of the GospelsHere are some good reminders and prompts for getting the most out of your Bible reading.

May You Not Be Weird and 30 Other Prayers for My Future Husband

May You Not Be Weird and 30 Other Prayers for My Future HusbandThis just brought me joy this morning.

Why Bob Dylan is a Nobel Prize-Winning Prophet

Why Bob Dylan is a Nobel Prize-Winning Prophet - Jim Denison writes about our rapidly changing world and our unchanging God.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Seeking Clarity in this Confusing Election Season: Ten Thoughts

Seeking Clarity in this Confusing Election Season: Ten Thoughts – There aren’t any firm answers here but the issues to wrestle with in prayer are well-noted.

God’s Purpose Isn’t Ruined by Unbelief: Don’t Be Discouraged

God’s Purpose Isn’t Ruined by Unbelief: Don’t Be Discouraged – “Jesus’ message was not received but by a few in his lifetime. Yet, he was not discouraged. He knew the plan. And you do too.”

Getting Gut-Level Honest with God

Getting Gut-Level Honest with God – Catherine Parks confesses, “I’ve been trying something new lately, and it’s revolutionizing my life. I’m being honest with God.”

Our Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

Our Hope Is Built on Nothing Less – “So what’s one to do with this bizarre season in American politics? Perhaps it’s an opportunity to reflect on the nature of God’s kingship in the world and rest in it like never before.”

7 Things Your Church Needs From You

7 Things Your Church Needs From You – These are good reminders as we come to the end of our Be the Church series.

Heaven Is a Person

Heaven Is a PersonMost of us tend to think of heaven as a place. This is a good, clear reminder.


I Was Pregnant, And Then I Wasn’t

I Was Pregnant, And Then I Wasn’tThis is a tough but worthwhile article on miscarriage. It’s a story we need to hear and be reminded of.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Greg Laurie on How You Can Share the Gospel

Greg Laurie on How You Can Share the Gospel – “Do you want to know a little secret? You are just the person God is looking for. He delights to use people who aren’t necessarily self-confident. Why? Because when God does something amazing through them, He is the one who gets the glory, as He should.” 

A Diagram to Encourage You in Your Parenting

A Diagram to Encourage You in Your Parenting – “While reading through the excellent Disciple Making Parent by Chap Bettis, I came across this helpful diagram that illustrates how parenting children is preparing them for their future life and relationships.”

God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle

God Will Give You More Than You Can Handle – “God gives you more than you can handle so that you can realize you can’t handle it on your own! He gives it to you so that it would drive you to Him.”

Once Worthless, Now Precious

Once Worthless, Now Precious – “The story of Onesimus and Philemon is also our story — the story of Jesus transforming us from useless to useful, from wandering runaways to beloved brothers and sisters.”

Seven Simple Daily Prayers

Seven Simple Daily Prayers – “God has given us all kinds of routes out of daily ruts in prayer. Take Psalm 86, for example. Here are seven simple daily prayers drawn from David’s prayer.”

The Character of Job

The Character of Job – “God is looking for a few godly men who will be sold out to follow Him.”

Why Does Friendship At Times Feel One-Sided?

Why Does Friendship At Times Feel One-Sided?“Notice I haven't been using the word friendship but rather relationships. The majority of our relationships are likely going to be one-sided and sacrificial (parenting children, work relationships, blessing our neighbors, serving in the church), but should friendship look any different? Yes and no.” 

Driving From Duty to Delight

Driving From Duty to Delight“Don’t be scared off by such rigid words as duty. The Legalism Police will attempt to cite you with some type of holiness violation. But friends, when the duties are ordained means by God, they are blessings filled with the seeds of your delight. We harvest our joy by and through God’s appointed means.” 

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Lord, Whatever It Takes, Discipline Me

Lord, Whatever It Takes, Discipline Me – “The Lord disciplines the one he loves. That means there are dimensions of God’s love we can only know through his discipline. And there are dimensions of peace and godly fruitfulness we will only know through his wise, rigorous training, a program individually tailored by him for us.”

What Tolerating Temper Tantrums Reveals about Parents

What Tolerating Temper Tantrums Reveals about Parents – “The Bible also provides ample warning concerning the harmful results of an absence of child discipline.”

5 Ways Persecution in Iran Has Backfired

5 Ways Persecution in Iran Has Backfired “Scripture is clear that God often uses his people’s suffering to advance his kingdom. In his providence, the Islamic regime’s strategies to stamp out the Persian-speaking church in Iran have backfired—resulting in further church growth. Here are five examples.”

R.C. Sproul’s Warning Concerning Prayer

R.C. Sproul’s Warning Concerning Prayer “The idea seems to be that we have the capacity to coerce God Almighty into doing for us whatever it is we want Him to do, but God is not a celestial bellhop who is on call every time we press the button, just waiting to serve us our every request.”

6 Ways to Reinvigorate Your Prayer Life

6 Ways to Reinvigorate Your Prayer LifeHere are some basic, simple steps to breathe new life into your prayer life.

Monday, October 10, 2016

Monday Morning Humor

Monday Morning HumorIn light of last night’s presidential debate, here is a clip from a previous election year debate…just in case you are looking for a brighter moment.

Is Religious Liberty “Hanging By a Thread”?

Is Religious Liberty “Hanging By a Thread”? – “But is Justice Newby correct to assert that the United States is precariously close to dismantling religious liberty as enshrined in the United States Constitution? Yes, and in order to set forth some of the evidence, let us consider the concept of religious liberty, summarize a recent ruling made by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), and illustrate the negative effects of that ruling on religious communities.”

The Disciple-Making Parent

The Disciple-Making Parent – Here are some quotes from the book by the same title. They are worth pondering.

God’s Agenda on Debate Night

God’s Agenda on Debate Night – “The 2016 election is giving a lot of us a taste of displacedness. Perhaps like never before in this country, for black and white evangelicals alike, there’s a new feeling of un-belonging. But it’s not a shrugging cynicism. Under the political disillusionment, we are all finding ways of voicing concerns for the welfare of our nation. We are displaced, yes, but we are not separatists.”

Last Night’s Debate and My Burden Going Forward

Last Night’s Debate and My Burden Going Forward – “We live in sad times. But the debacle of the 2016 presidential election is not the cause of our times. It is the sign of our times. And we need to have our eyes wide open to the world and our hearts full of gospel joy and our feet swift to our great work.”

God Is Not the Author of Uncertainty

God Is Not the Author of Uncertainty – “Christ has spoken in the Bible, and He holds us responsible to understand, interpret, obey, and teach what He said—as opposed to deconstructing everything the Bible says. Notice that Christ repeatedly rebuked the Pharisees for twisting Scripture, disobeying it, setting it aside with their traditions, and generally ignoring its plain meaning. Not once did He ever excuse the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and false religion by apologizing for any lack of clarity in the Old Testament.”


Trump’s Moral Character and the Election

Trump’s Moral Character and the ElectionWayne Grudem writes about the election and his own personal struggles with the journey this year. He doesn’t tie up the story with a bow at the end either. The struggle is worth exploring.


The Presidential Debate and Hope for the Future

The Presidential Debate and Hope for the Future - “Joseph de Maistre's maxim may be relevant today: ‘Every
nation gets the government it deserves.’”



Saturday, October 8, 2016

Sunday Soccer and Small Christianity

Sunday Soccer and Small Christianity – Three quotes that make this article worth reading:
  •  ·         Reading the New Testament, I see that Christianity is many things. But one thing it isn’t: a weekend option between soccer practices.
  • ·         Christian conversion is not God sprinkling his pixie-dust blessing on our typical routines.
  • ·         Is our Christianity today something Christ himself would identify as Christian? Or are we treating God’s feast as a garnish on the side?

Remembering Others in Prayer

Remembering Others in Prayer – Here are some helpful encouragements to remember to pray for “matters of the heart” as you pray for others. You’ll find several biblical prayer examples.

Friday, October 7, 2016

Your “Boring” Salvation Testimony

Your “Boring” Salvation Testimony“The main point is this: the things that Jesus accomplishes in every person’s salvation are far greater than the overcoming of any particular habits of a previous life.” 

What to Do When God Says No, Not Right Now

What to Do When God Says No, Not Right NowThis is a powerful testimony, encouragement, and challenge from Joni Eareckson Tada.

3 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Pray for the Persecuted Church

3 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Pray for the Persecuted Church – “If trends continue, this century will see persecution increase. Let’s teach our kids to pray regularly for our brothers and sisters.”

The Spiritual Discipline Everyone Ignores

The Spiritual Discipline Everyone Ignores - It's not what you think it is.

Evangelical Campus Ministry (InterVarsityUSA) Decides Employees Should Hold Evangelical Beliefs on Marriage—Internet Explodes

Evangelical Campus Ministry (InterVarsityUSA) Decides Employees Should Hold Evangelical Beliefs on Marriage—Internet Explodes“Evangelical organizations employ people who share their core beliefs-- just like your church.” What does this response say about our culture?

A Few Tips on Raising Boys

A Few Tips on Raising BoysHere are some good helps and reminders.

6 Ways the Psalms Sing to Our Fears

6 Ways the Psalms Sing to Our Fears “When I am struggling with fear, I find meditating on the Psalms a great help and comfort. Here are 6 ways in which that wonderful ‘song book’ for life helps me to process my fears, bringing them to the Lord.”

Findings from the New Atlantis Report on Sexuality and Gender

Findings from the New Atlantis Report on Sexuality and Gender“The hypothesis that gender identity is an innate, fixed property of human beings that is independent of biological sex — that a person might be “a man trapped in a woman’s body” or “a woman trapped in a man’s body” — is not supported by scientific evidence.”

This Storm Will Kill You

This Storm Will Kill You – “That's how Florida Gov. Rick Scott described Hurricane Matthew as he warned residents to flee the strongest storm system to threaten the US in a decade. What should we do today?”

Thursday, October 6, 2016

When God Says "No" or "Wait"

When God Says "No" or "Wait"“And yet, in the midst of the waiting and lamenting over what seemed contrary to His goodness, God has been teaching me that, while He may not immediately give us the answers we’re longing for, He is far from absent when His children call upon His name.”

What Christians Should Do This Election Season — Give Space, Show Grace

What Christians Should Do This Election Season — Give Space, Show Grace“The choice of candidates is depressing. So are the online wars between Christians over how to vote this year.” Here are a couple of reminders.

Knowing God Can Do the Impossible Should Affect the Way We Live

Knowing God Can Do the Impossible Should Affect the Way We LiveHere are three areas it should affect.

Where Did Satan Come From?

Where Did Satan Come From? – The question comes up often. This is a pretty good biblical answer to a big question.

Every Click Counts

Every Click CountsThis is a good reminder from David Mathis: “You’re never alone when you’re online. Not only is God watching — which should be significant enough! — but others are watching too. Every click counts, and is counted.”

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

How to Really Love Your Political Enemies

How to Really Love Your Political Enemies - Because this season is getting ugly.

3 Ways to Stop Stressing So Much About Money

3 Ways to Stop Stressing So Much About Money - Hint: It's more than just spending less.

Asking Too Much from Your Children

Asking Too Much from Your Children – “No spouse, no child can provide comfort that can only be found in God. God will have no other gods before him. Your first loyalty must be to God and God alone.”

Grief Is Part of the Gospel Too

Grief Is Part of the Gospel Too - Why more Christians need to make space for it.

Fix My Eyes

Fix My Eyes – “I’ve learned that our eyes are never idle. They are restlessly scanning from one thing to the next, and as they do so, our hearts and our minds anchor to the fleeting fixations our eyes have found. Where we fix our eyes, so also there we find rest — or turmoil — for our souls.”

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

7 Practical Prayer Tips

7 Practical Prayer Tips – “Prayer allows us to come up close, to settle in for an intimate conversation with our closest Companion and Friend, but it's something with which most of us struggle.”

4 Cultural Trends Leading to the Decline of Religious Liberty

4 Cultural Trends Leading to the Decline of Religious Liberty“What are the cultural trends leading to a diminishment of religious liberty?”

Where Is God When Life Disappoints You?

Where Is God When Life Disappoints You? - Four things to remember when things don't work out the way you think they should.

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Posting on Social Media

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Posting on Social Media“Social media should serve the greatest commandments: to love God and neighbor. It exists for God’s purposes, not our own. Yet, we forget this, and often use it to serve ourselves. When I forget that social media exists for God, not for me, I’m likely to fall into one of two pitfalls…”

Christ, Our Credential

Christ, Our Credential – “Almost any place you go to hear someone speak, they are always introduced along with a slew of their accomplishments and titles. The author bio on any book or blog will read much the same. Twitter users often list their titles and positions in their bios.” Look at how Paul declared his credentials.

Satan’s Ten Strategies Against You

Satan’s Ten Strategies Against You – “One of the most sobering facts about life is that all humans have a supernatural enemy whose aim is to use pain and pleasure to make us blind, stupid, and miserable — forever.”

10 Things You Should Know About Tithing Under the Mosaic Covenant

10 Things You Should Know About Tithing Under the Mosaic Covenant – Be sure to read all ten as Sam Storms talks about tithing and whether or not Christians are obligated to give their 10%.

Monday, October 3, 2016

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Helping the Hurting

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Helping the Hurting“No one wants to be like Job’s friends. We have hurting people in our lives, and we want to help them, but how do we manage to not make fools of ourselves? And how can we actually help hurting people without discouraging them even more?”

Worship Is Not Made-to-Order

Worship Is Not Made-to-Order“We love to have our individual preferences and desires met, and this craving does not disappear when it comes to worship.”

You Cannot Glorify God If You Find Him Boring

You Cannot Glorify God If You Find Him Boring – It’s an important truth. You can listen to the audio or read the brief transcript.

The Instagram Bible

The Instagram BibleJen Wilkin writes, “Beware the Instagram Bible, my daughters – those filtered frames festooned with feathered verses, adorned in all manner of loops and tails, bedecked with blossoms, saturated with sunsets, culled and curated just for you.”

Is Politeness Killing Your Prayer Life?

Is Politeness Killing Your Prayer Life? “Christians in North America are generally polite pray-ers. We tend to pray correct, respectful words that we think God wants to hear. But let’s be honest, many of our prayers are tentative, repetitive, and somewhat boring.”