I mentioned last week that, in scripture, predestination is a positive doctrine (e.g. Eph. 1:4-5 says, “In love he predestined…”) and should be applied pastorally like the following: “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day … Read More
Is the Essence of God Love?, Part 2 of 3
Growing up, movies like The Burning Hell made me think God was more wrath than love, and then, detoxing from that, I spent another thirty-five years believing love and wrath were both attributes of God. In viewing John’s plain statement that “God is love,” I stood with good-hearted teachers that said things like “certainly love is a very important attribute … Read More
Is the Essence of God Love?, Part 1 of 3
Fatherhood—including now being “Papa” to my grandson, Emmett—has provided me with powerful testimony to a loving God who, in Christianity, reveals Himself as “Our Father.” I shared this story about the first time I heard my then two-year-old son, Matthew, tell me he loved me and received this note from a friend: “IMHO, you are probing, without saying so in … Read More
Remember, You’ve Got a Name
Like the pine trees lining the winding road I got a name, I got a name… Like the fool I am and I’ll always be I’ve got a dream, I’ve got a dream… Moving me down the highway, rolling me down the highway Moving ahead so life won’t pass me by —Jim Croce, I Got a Name Sheryl Crow says, … Read More
Exclusive Prayer & Ministry Update-072019
Hi Family and Friends! I hope you are all well and thanks for reading and praying. I’m just finishing up a week of vacation in the Outer banks with family. Although we’ve been going here for twenty-five years, this is the first time in five years we’ve been back with all our kids, spouses, and our new grandson! We stay … Read More
The Father Heart of God
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. … Read More
Five Essentials of Spiritual Growth
On Sundays in many churches, personal use of a Bible in any form is unnecessary. Congregants know little of its contents and, barring a possible Sunday school or confirmation class, there’s insufficient training on how to handle it correctly. One mom scornfully described the classes of her own children’s church experience as “God loves you. Draw a tree.” Churches like … Read More
How Church History Helps Us
Last week, we discussed the question “should we judge a movement by his abuses?” Yet, it’s impossible to answer this question well without a basic knowledge of church history. Indeed, as I’ve said here: “a knowledge of history and tradition can provide perspective when church leaders fall or are exposed.” Last week, someone sent me a note asking me to … Read More
Expository Preaching and the Future of Christianity, Part 2
“The ultimate healing of the world’s hurt is not to be effected by legislation but by the redeeming grace of God, and the proclamation of that redeeming grace is the highest work to which any man can be called.” – Congregational minister, J.D. Jones[1] As we said last week, expository preaching is essential to building individuals and families that love … Read More
Expository Preaching and the Future of Christianity, Part 1
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14, ESV Last week, I talked here about the future of Christianity and how it’s tied to the importance of “moms and dads … Read More