Featured

Weakness is NOT the Enemy

“Pain is weakness leaving the body.” While you may associate this slogan with the United States Marine Corps (which we hope is filled with strong, able-bodied soldiers), society at large has adopted the mantra to say that our ultimate goal ought to be strength. Our a strongly individualistic American culture values the ability to “take … Continue reading Weakness is NOT the Enemy

Featured

I Started a Bible-Reading Plan. Now What?

Ah, January! The enchantment of Christmas has passed, the temperatures have dropped well below freezing (and for some of us, well below zero), snow has blanketed the ground, and the grind has begun again after a blissful vacation with family and friends. ‘Tis the season for resolutions, improvements, and life-changes. This year, you decided to … Continue reading I Started a Bible-Reading Plan. Now What?

Featured

How Long, O Lord? Advent Lament

Chemo therapy that requires a six-week period of sequestering, beginning just days before Thanksgiving. Going weeks without pay because of the government shutdown. Fighting an uphill battle against a pernicious cancer and dealing with debilitating pain from an inoperable tumor. A horrific car wreck involving two cars full of teenagers, two of whom lost their … Continue reading How Long, O Lord? Advent Lament

Featured

Is Your Heart Closed Off?

Fraught. Complicated. Tenuous. On-again-off-again. Volatile. While these words might describe many teenage romances, they also aptly characterize the Apostle Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church. Scripture reports that Paul spent 18 months in Corinth, evangelizing and discipling (Acts 18:1-17), made one “painful visit” during which he dealt with ongoing sin issues (2 Cor. 2:1), and … Continue reading Is Your Heart Closed Off?

Featured

You’re Responsible for Growing in Holiness

The clock may say zero, but the game goes on. If you’re a soccer fan, you know that a game isn’t over until the referees blow their whistles. Unlike basketball in which the play-clock stops when the ball goes out of bounds or for substitutions and other stoppages of play, in soccer, the play-clock never … Continue reading You’re Responsible for Growing in Holiness

Featured

“You Are Enough”…And Other Lies the Gospel Refutes

“Just do it.” “If you dream it, you can achieve it.” “Believe in yourself, and the world will believe in you too.” “Embrace yourself.” “You are enough.” Slogans like these came into vogue during the 1990s self-esteem movement, but they have proven to have significant staying power. They reinforce the most prominent idol of our … Continue reading “You Are Enough”…And Other Lies the Gospel Refutes