Lifelines for those journeying through spiritual depression from Psalm 120: Martin Lloyd Jones in his book entitled Spiritual Depression sets forth a radical notion that has proven most helpful to me personally. He writes that "most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking … Continue reading Lifelines for Spiritual Depression
Devotional Thoughts
If he has work for me to do, I cannot die!
While in college, Henry Martyn was stirred by the missions interests of his pastor Charles Simeon of Holy Trinity Church as well as by reading the journals of David Brainerd, the Puritan missionary in North America. Henry was a "Senior Wrangler" at the prestigious Cambridge University. That meant he graduated first among the honor students … Continue reading If he has work for me to do, I cannot die!
A Man for Others in Loving Forgiveness
How are you doing in modeling the gospel with others? A man for others embodies the gospel by forgiving others the same way that God in Christ has forgiven you. (Philippians 2:2 - "Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.") Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all … Continue reading A Man for Others in Loving Forgiveness
Loving Your Wife
"It is not having a wife, but loving a wife, that makes a man live chastely. He who loves his wife, whom Solomon calls his fountain, will not go abroad to drink of muddy, poisoned waters. Pure conjugal love is a gift of God, and comes from heaven; but like the vestal fire, it must … Continue reading Loving Your Wife
Three Primary Forms of Spiritual Attack
Over the past several years, one journal article that has helped me immensely comes from the pen of J.I. Packer entitled "Self-Care for Pastors: Riches from the Anglican Devotional Tradition." Packer emphasizes that there are three main avenues of attack against leaders of Christ's church. All of us are engaged in a constant, inescapable battle … Continue reading Three Primary Forms of Spiritual Attack
Surrendering to Grace
Man's agenda is self-preservation and power grapping. God's agenda is redemption for 'Adam's helpless race.' How easy it is to miscalculate redemption's price tag. Peter miscalculated the cost to the Messiah to save His people. He never realized that the Messiah had "to suffer many things" on behalf of the people He came to save. … Continue reading Surrendering to Grace
What type of Christians are we called to be?
Answer: Christians whose lives display the following features: Doxology, the habit taught and modeled by Paul of constantly praising God and giving him thanks; Humility, the downward growth that comes by dwelling on the free, boundless,, almighty grace of God that achieves the salvation of sinners, including oneself, through the atoning death of the Lord … Continue reading What type of Christians are we called to be?
The Beautiful Side of Ambition
Recently, I read an article entitled “Pastoral Narcissism: The Shadow Side of Ambition” by J.R. Kerr in Christianity Today. Now, why would you ever read an article like this unless you were a glutton for conviction? I read it in order to do some needed inventory and assessment in my own life and ministry. This … Continue reading The Beautiful Side of Ambition
An Empire Builder vs. A Kingdom Seeker
An empire builder is dominated by anxiety. A kingdom seeker counts on the faithful provision of his loving Father (Matt. 6:32). Helmut Thielicke reminds us: “It is reasonable to trust in our heavenly Father’s love even in times of grievous trouble because we have been privileged to see it revealed in Christ and His cross.” … Continue reading An Empire Builder vs. A Kingdom Seeker
Entering the Movement of Divine Generosity
Our staff are reading and reflecting on Kelly Kapic's new book entitled God So Loved, He Gave: Entering the Movement of Divine Generosity." Mike Murphy, our worship director, has written a song on John 3:16-21 for the mini sermon series that was preached by our three campus ministers on the implications of John 3:16. How … Continue reading Entering the Movement of Divine Generosity
2Cherish2Commend 