Let’s fast-forward momentarily and face the music. Some of you who are reading these words have awfully sharp tongues. You say things that cut, but you couch your words in phrases that sound pious and even eloquent.
Read MoreCategory Archives: Church
God IS Fulfilling the Great Commission!
When I heard the numbers, I could hardly believe my ears! I was at Insight for Living Ministries international headquarters, meeting with a delegation of pastors from Jiangsu in the People’s Republic of China. They told me that as many as 109,000 people in their province are trusting Christ as their Savior each year! Don’t […]
Read MoreA Place to Unload
Being imperfect doesn’t help. Every so often we make stupid decisions. We say things we wish we could retrieve. Selfishly, we look out for number one and later regret it. We act impulsively and realize, after the fact, how foolish we were, how dumb we looked. On top of all that, we hurt the ones we love the most. All this stuff caves in on us at certain times, and we wonder how anybody could ever love us . . . especially God.
Read MoreIt’s a Church
A birth is always exciting. Yes, always. Whether it is your baby or someone else’s, those first cries never fail to make our hearts flutter. Family ties are strengthened as new life extends the roots. Everybody moves in closer and smiles approvingly. What power little babies possess!
Read MoreLove Offers a Place to Unload
Imagine two mountain hikers trudging along, each carrying a backpack. The one on the left has a light pack that a child could carry. The poor soul on the right is so loaded down we can’t even see his head or body . . . just a couple of spindly legs wobbling under the burden […]
Read MoreThere’s More to Church than Meets the Eye
“Why do we do it?” I think it’s one of the most obvious questions people should ask about church. I am surprised that more visitors don’t ask it. If a newcomer came to your church and asked you that question, what would you say? Because it makes me feel better inside? Because it’s what we […]
Read MoreWhy Are There So Many Denominations?
Question: In my small city, there must be a hundred Christian churches. All of them claim that they teach the correct way to do church. Why do we have so many denominations, and how do you know which one is right? Answer: I suppose there are as many different Christian denominations as there are interpretations […]
Read MoreWorshipping with Spiritual Integrity
A cold war existed between the Jews and Samaritans when it came to the issue of worship. The woman at the well distinguished the dividing line in this worship war: “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain [Mount Gerizim], and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship” (John 4:20). […]
Read MoreShake It Up a Little
As I get older, I am starting to see a pattern emerging in my life. My attention is getting more focused—that’s a good thing. I don’t like my schedule to be disrupted too much—not so good. I am getting increasingly set in my ways—not good at all. It has become very clear to me in […]
Read MoreThe Surprise of Victory in Christ
Victory in Christ. It’s what many Christians want. It’s what we’ve been promised by Christ himself. But a number of questions come to my mind, questions like: “Why don’t we see more victory in Christ?” or “Why don’t I have more victory in Christ myself?” Theologian J. P. Moreland made a very disturbing statement: “It […]
Read More