Romans 12:15 is a collection of 10 beautiful words: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” When we live out those words, we display a beautiful trait far too uncommon among many people: security. You see, only secure people can be glad for someone else; … Read More
In the Image of God: “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”
About 48 years ago—January of 1973—America’s Supreme Court delivered a ruling that made abortion legal. Not moral or ethical. And surely not biblical. Only legal. Since that time, it is estimated that over 55 million unborn babies have been killed. As I write this, my … Read More
A Kettle or a Sloth?
A literary technique often used to help one grasp the similarities and differences between two things is comparing and contrasting. And when the two subjects are polar opposites, usually what is discovered, quite emphatically, is the large variance. Such is the case in Romans 12:11, … Read More
Why Waiting is a Worthy Response, and Why Storming the Capitol was Not
I’m not even sure how to write what I believe about what happened yesterday at the Capitol. Why? It’s not that I’m afraid. It’s that I think I’m unable. At least somewhat. Yes, from an emotional standpoint, and from an ability standpoint, I don’t know … Read More
Must the Great Commission Be Completed Before the End Comes?
It’s a question discussed in seminary classes and missiological circles. Profs and students exchange views and opinions. Mission committees and sending agencies share their stances. The question? “Is Christ’s return contingent upon the completion of the Great Commission?” My short answer: Yes, it was. Let … Read More
More Than a New Year is Next
With 2021 just around the corner, many are most likely looking forward to new things. Perhaps some will be setting new goals; others may be excited about a new start; for sure many are anxious about a new vaccine. Yes, a new year is expected … Read More
Our Perfect Sympathizer and Savior
The mystery and miracle of the incarnation is a wondrous truth that is essential to our faith. Like the Trinity, however, it is hard to find ways to illustrate it well. Perhaps John Howard Griffin’s memoir Black Like Me will give us a small bit … Read More
Pray for BOB
The Apostle Paul urged his fellow believers to pray for BOB. Not, not Bob, as in a person, but for BOB, as in an acronym. With either apologies or congratulations to those reading this named Bob, consider these three ways Paul exhorted us to pray. … Read More
Where Thankfulness Begins
Tomorrow, the vast majority of people in our nation will take intentional time to be thankful. Yes, Thanksgiving is the holiday we’ll celebrate, and gratefulness is the action we’ll take. But how does one go about being thankful? In short, by being thinkful. This is … Read More
The Great Scope of the Great Commission
A grammatically close look at Matthew’s account of the Great Commission reveals there’s really one verb in play: make disciples. This is modified by something quite important, however: of all nations. Here really is the core mandate of the Great Commission: spiritual reproduction without ethnic … Read More