Eph 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" If you could get a window into my life a decade or so ago you would have heard me say something like this "I love Jesus, but not the church." I don't think I am alone. You been there? Many of you have gone ... Continue Reading
The Astonishing Last Words Of Peter
2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." The dying man or women chooses their last words with great intentionality. Imagine having only one more day to live. Would you chose your words wisely? Last ... Continue Reading
Bad News. Good News. Cardinals. Cubs. Sin. Gospel.
Have you ever been to a baseball game? I was raised and still live in Southern Illinois. So Ill people are, by and large, St. Louis Cardinal fans. St. Louis is only a couple hours from my home, so I have been to a countless number of games at Busch Stadium. If you don't know, ... Continue Reading
The Joy of Aging
When I was in college, I laughed more than I do today. You know what I mean right? Remember hanging around a fire with your buddies? Laughter filled the air night after night. If you were bored, all you needed was to hang with some friends and do something crazy. You laughed. I laughed. So much that I was blinded to the shallowness of my life. ... Continue Reading
Sometimes Peace That Passes All Understanding Seems Inauthentic
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Phil 4:7From A Path Through Suffering by Ellisabeth Elliot"After the death of my husband Jim, I returned to my jungle station. My Quichua friends were sympathetic, for they had loved Jim too. There was plenty of work to do, and I soon ... Continue Reading
Jesus’ Comforts Are Not One Size Fits All
I have taught and been taught a great truth. When a person is going through deep suffering, it would be inappropriate to give them a theological treatise on suffering. The better way would be to obey Romans 12:14 and "weep with those who weep." But... Does this mean that we are to avoid reminding people of the truth? In the ... Continue Reading
The Enemy and the Still Small Voice
Countless times, with Bibles open, I have heard the response "That is not the god I know." I have to admit, I also have said those words. How is it that so many people believe "the god they know" carries more authority than the God of the Bible? I believe this error comes down to one major problem. Over the last few decades, we have seen a ... Continue Reading
Remember Jesus Christ
2 Tim.2:8 "Remember Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached by my gospel" Really Paul? That is what you need to tell Timothy. Timothy is a pastor! Has he forgotten about Jesus already? This morning, I need what Timothy needed. I need to be reminded of Jesus. ... Continue Reading
Mr. Knowles Prophecy About Charles Spurgeon
I am really excited about the forthcoming work of Dr. Christian George. He has discovered, compiled, edited and is publishing The Lost Sermons of C.H. Spurgeon in a ten volume set. These lost, and now discovered sermons, were from the first five years of Spurgeon's ministry. I am one of the countless thousands who are ... Continue Reading
Clear Paradox and Certain Mystery. Understanding the Bible
"But one must not think ill of the paradox, for the paradox is the passion of thought, and the thinker without the paradox is like the lover without passion: a mediocre fellow. But the ultimate potentiation of every passion is always to will its own downfall, and so it is also the ultimate passion of the understanding to will the collision, ... Continue Reading