Inward Transformation to the Outward Expression of Life
Our culture has slowly sacrificed Thanksgiving on the altar of consumerism over the years. This has been difficult for me to watch. What used to be an early rise on the day after for mega-deals at big chain stores all of a sudden backed up to long lines forming that evening for midnight door-busters. Over... Continue Reading →
As Paul speaks of the bold advance of the gospel in this passage, he says something that has brought great conviction in accordance with the sermon and this video from Sunday. In verse 27 he writes, "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel," (ESV, emphasis mine).
To create a physical representation of the invisible God is to seek to render understandable that which is too great for our understanding. And when we do this, we inevitably diminish God. Always. And we do this in our own image, in our own likeness, in an attempt to portray God in the way we wish for others to see him. This is a serious violation of the person of God. Indeed, as many have written about the book The Shack, much can be said about the way that God is misrepresented.
Hey T Swift! It’s us. You know, the tall, "handsome as hell" bad guys who "do it so well." We’ve been following your career and music for some time now, and our appreciation for you just continues to skyrocket. It’s funny, we never thought we would say that, but you have no idea how... Continue Reading →
Recently, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary adopted a new official hymn. They selected a beautiful new song written by Keith and Krysten Getty entitled, “For the Cause.” I love being a student (yet again!) at this wonderful Seminary. I appreciate their heart for the gospel, and especially their vision to see “every classroom a Great Commission classroom.”... Continue Reading →
I had the honor of preaching yesterday at my church, Westwood. Our pastor has been faithfully walking us through the Book of Isaiah. Last Sunday we arrived in chapter 28. Peter quotes a portion from this chapter in the second chapter of his first letter: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone... Continue Reading →
I have been horrified at the recent videos released exposing Planned Parenthood's selling of tissue and organs of aborted babies. I am thankful, though, that they have once again shed light on the issue of abortion. I am thankful for the resulting dialogue. I am thankful that some seem to be thinking twice about abortion... Continue Reading →
I highly recommend this book, and hope that many parents I know will buy it and read it. I want to offer some reflection that I hope will either provoke others to read the book for themselves, or at least share some of the more practical takeaways for us. So, this will not be a 'book review,' but rather a brief summary of the 4 most practical points of application that Erin and I have already begun to put into practice in our home.
The term worldview can be intimidating, but it really shouldn’t be. In fact, the term describes one of the most basic aspects of our everyday lives. Our worldview makes up what we can call the subconscious steering of our lives. Although it may be difficult to articulate, the decisions we make in all areas of... Continue Reading →
One of the glorious truths of the gospel is that God is long-suffering in his love and mercy for his creation. That patience is meant to lead sinners to repentance and reconciliation with God, himself. That patience definitely does not communicate that God overlooks sin or has allowed us to define what is sin and what is not.
