Exactly two of you asked me why we “edited” the phrase “He descended into Hell” out of the version of the Apostles Creed that our children learned. I figure for every question I receive, there are ten of you who wanted to ask but didn’t. So, for the twenty of you who are wondering, here are our reasons. ...
We have many theories for why Christ had to die for us. They are all correct and even more. Here are a few. ...
Join us for the next four weeks as we take the journey every church must travel. We will study death, the judgment, heaven and hell. We will answer our questions, feel our fears, and emerge more ready to enjoy life than ever. ...
Lent reminds us that suffering is not pointless, that there must be a death in order to be a resurrection....
Your sin is no match for God’s love. He has overwhelmed and forgiven it. ...
According to Harold Best, God created worshippers. We were created pouring out worship. Each member of the Trinity continually worships the others. God created us in his image. We were created to pour out worship upon the Trinity, but since we are fallen we worship created things rather than the creator....
Awakenings occur within the church. People who have continued to come to church for years realize that they have never known Jesus, never felt his love, never hated their sin, never really believed. ...
The last week of March, starting on Palm Sunday, March 25th, and culminating on Easter Sunday, April 1st, is known as ‘Holy Week.’ Some consider this week the most important week in the entire church year. During this week, we follow the timeline of Jesus’ last week before His resurrection. You can read about this ‘final week’ in all four of the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with each gospel writer giving slightly different perspectives on the events of the week....
What keeps Christians from enjoying the peace God wants them to enjoy? If you understand the gospel, but still do not have peace, I would invite you to go back and examine the gospel again. You are probably resting peace on yourself and not on Christ. In this Chapter, Bonar looks at every reason you might think God rejects you and corrects your understanding of the Gos...
Keep ReadingMany couples assume conflict means they have marital problems. It is truer to say conflict means a marriage exists. By pressing into conflict we learn how to love each other better and move toward the goal of marriage: oneness. ...
Keep ReadingThe resurrection is proof of God's radical commitment to his creation. He loves all of it, and is committed to redeeming it completely. ...
Keep ReadingMy review of Judith Wallerstein's important book: "The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce." On my 45th birthday I have much to be thankful for: family, friends, work. My entire life has been one example after another of falling backwards into grace. Yet with all those blessings, I am still haunted by my parents' divorce. Having deep instability at that point in your life sha...
Keep ReadingThe law goes far beyond our outward, bodily actions. We must keep the law from our hearts or we do not keep it at all. ...
Keep ReadingWhy did God give men all this testosterone if He didn't want us to use it? We still have enemies we need to fight. Identify them, and fight to win....
Keep ReadingWeek in and week out, we make promises to ourselves. We will never commit this sin again. We will throw away the phone number, the liquor bottle, or block the website. We make deals with ourselves, "I will let it slide this time, but if I commit that sin again, I'm going to confess. In truth, with the Holy Spirit you can put any sin to death but you will never do it b...
Keep ReadingGod has saved us from sin and all its effects. As we strive toward holiness, he works in us making us desire what is good and empowering us to do what is good. ...
Keep ReadingClearly we have a sense that being a man means something. Even that a man is a noble thing to become. The bible shares that sentiment by the way (For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God . . . 1 Corinthians 11:7 ESV). We even seem to come into the world with an implicit knowledge that being a man involves hard and worthwhile tasks. So w...
Keep ReadingOn most days shame overwhelms me. On most days I feel like I have disappointed those who know me best. On most days I feel like I have earned the scorn that I am sure everyone feels toward me. On most days I am so disappointed with myself, that I cannot even remember what Jesus thinks of me....
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