The change of scenery is nice, I’ll admit, but going on “vacation” with four kids under 7 is not really a vacation per se. Zombie Town When most people imagine vacations, they think of relaxing on the beach, going to Disney World, or camping. What we experienced recently was more like an elongated school field […]
Sundays Are For Training
I graduated from High School and Bible College with adequate grades. I tried, but I didn’t exactly over-exert myself, to be honest. “Coasting” was probably the right word for it. I learned enough and enjoyed the classes I enjoyed and got through the classes I needed to get through. Regrets Not a day goes by […]
The Ugly Business Of Politics And The Trinitarian Hope of Romans 1:1-6
As I write, the presidential campaign season is in full swing. While my fellow Americans decide who will take over the Executive Branch, one thing we all know for certain: politics is an ugly business. Politics is a proud industry. It’s pure egotism. Whatever problem society faces, every single one of these candidates wholeheartedly believes […]
Millennial Christians Have Generally Failed The Test of Social Media (So Far)
I certainly hope the next generation uses social media more effectively for the cause of Christ than we currently are. It’s a Trap I was scrolling through Facebook the other day, as I am unfortunately wont to do. The scrolling has gotten out of control at times (you know the feeling), so the only solution […]
As We Pray for Kobe’s Family, Pray the Gospel Spreads Like Wildfire in the NBA
My heart breaks for the Bryant family. Millions have taken to social media and flooded it with posts expressing shock, sadness, and confusion over the horrific death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Players and fans are grieving, contemplating the brevity of life, and stewing in the reality of God’s holiness and judgment. NBA […]
Love Hopes All Things
Forgive this post ahead of time. I don’t want you to feel dizzy. I’m truly wrestling here, friend. I’m sifting, filtering, nuking thoughts as they enter my mind. Here’s where we’ll begin: What now? This is the question I keep asking myself as I watch our Evangelical “Leaders” (some who are near and dear to […]
How To Make It Through Difficult Books of the Bible
A common refrain in my 6th grade Bible class around this time of year is “Ugh…we’re in the book of Numbers? It’s so boring. Do we have to read it?” In some ways, I totally get it. For the first 20 some years of my Christian life, I ignored 4/5 of the Pentateuch. Numbers is […]
“The Send” Was A Satanic Assault On The Great Commission
We believe this day, something will transfer and bring us into, I believe, worldwide transition into the greatest Jesus movement we have ever seen. Lou Engle “The Send” was an all-day conference that launched Saturday, February 23rd and featured Benny Hinn, Bill Johnson, Mike Bickle, Todd White, Heidi Baker, Francis Chan, and many others. According […]
Contentment or Bust: Trinitarian Satisfaction — Part 2
God will work when He pleases, how He pleases, and by what means He pleases. He is not bound to keep our time, but He will perform His Word, honour our faith, and reward them that diligently seek Him. Matthew Henry As a Bulls fan and Illinois-boy, Michael Jordan, of course, is my favorite athlete […]
Here and There: A Truly Ridiculous Christian Parody Video, James MacDonald Fired, Praying for Slow Church Growth, The Chibok Girls Sing To Jesus
In “Here and There,” we’ll take a brief look at some things I like, random and important news in the Evangelical, political, and sports world. It’s been way too long since I’ve done one of these, so here we go. In this edition of “Here and There”: A Ridiculous Parody video James MacDonald is FIRED Pray for […]
Contentment or Bust — Part 1
Super Mario Strikers was a totally underrated video game back in the day. It was nuts. It was basically Super Mario Kart on a soccer field, sans cart, which, if you ask me and my friends was perfecto [insert Italian finger kiss]. You collected shells and bananas that you could trip up your opponent with, […]
What To Do When The Bible Becomes Tiresome
A Pastor by the name of Tom Patton recently told a story about a time he was in seminary and the school president preached a message on the importance of God’s Word from Psalm 19. During the message he spoke about a very large, sixteenth century Bible that he had seen and held. When he […]
Three Attributes of God To Fight Depression — Part 2
Read part one here. I’ve heard it said (though I can’t remember where) that if we only knew these three attributes of God, you would be set for the rest of your life. Whoever said that is absolutely right. If we really meditated on these three characteristics of God day and night, if we really […]
Three Attributes of God to Fight Depression — Pt. 1
About 20-percent of all teens experience depression before they reach adulthood. This is an amazing stat. One out of every five in this age bracket experience deep, nearly suffocating darkness. Adults do too. My lovely wife has been living with depression for years now, and, even as a pastor, I find myself going […]
Seven Books I’ve Read So Far In 2018 (And You Should Too)
I read books! I told a young friend of mine the other day, “Christians are readers.” Obvious sentiment, I know, because there is no such thing as a Bible-less Christian, and, if you don’t want to be Bible-less, you have to read. This is a skill every Christian needs to hone. Thankfully, in the centuries following the […]
This Is The Chicago Bears’ NFL Now. Sorry.
The Monsters of the Midway are legitimate division-title contenders and will (gulp) win ten-plus games this year, and yes, you guessed it, Aaron Rodgers’ collar-bone is weeping as we speak because… Khalil Mack is a Chicago Bear for at least eight years. Get used to it: We are all Chicago Bears now. “Super Bowl,” you […]
When Was The Last Time You Genuinely, Prayerfully Considered Full-Time Missions?
This is a letter from Eric Kaisoa of Papua New Guinea (PNG), sent to New Tribes Mission (NTM): “I’m writing again for the 7th time to ask if you will come to my village or not…The people are saying that you must come. I’m saying this again. I think you all didn’t get my first […]
Why We (Still) Warn Against Beth Moore
Because pop-Christianity runs down stream a few years from the culture, thanks to Twitter, the bread and butter of Evangelicalism these days seems to be this wild, incoherent, seemingly-inebriated version of Hunger Games or Fortnight or whatever violent entertainment the kids like these days, where the main character (the Evangelical) and his clique tries to be […]
The Future of Every Local Church Depends On These Two Leadership Qualities
Year after year, as I read through the Bible, I’m floored by how much Scripture has to say about the subject of leadership. All throughout biblical history, God chose spiritual leaders who were to learn from Him, walk with Him, and then turn and teach His people. God puts a premium on true, biblical leadership. […]
The Hardest Working Man In Podcast Land: An Interview With Dawain Atkinson
The B.A.R. podcast host Dawain Atkinson often includes the hashtag #hardestworkingmaninpodcastland at the end of his social media posts. He’s probably right, and, by God’s grace, he’s not stopping any time soon. If you take a second to check out his iTunes podcast page, you’ll see why The B.A.R. is so influential in Reformed circles. […]