Full archive

Ignoring our smartphones to engage the world around us

The church can turn the world upside down, assuming the next text message can wait. All we need, at least to start, are a few thoughtful, intentional tweaks to our daily routines.

Additional resources for my 2023 Bible reading plan

Several people have expressed interest in following my 2023 chronological Bible reading plan with OT/NT overlap, so I’m adding two potentially helpful resources.

December 27, 2022

2023 chronological Bible reading plan with OT/NT overlap

I have personally used a wide variety of Bible reading plans. I’ve learned what I like and dislike about each and decided to create my own guide this time around.

December 22, 2022

The conversion story of a prodigal son

Even in hindsight, I can't tell whether my conversion was a long, slow process or instantaneous. Regardless, God's hand was at work for many years before I finally came to Christ.

December 20, 2022

Why should we fear God?

God is undeniably great. Therefore, we should stand in reverent awe of him. We should fear him. Our souls should tremble at the very thought of God.

Twisting God’s Word is deceptively easy

The devil is dangerous because he is cunning. Most would never succumb to his temptations if he told bald-faced lies, but that is not his approach. He prefers subtlety.

December 15, 2022

What is the gospel of Jesus, the Son of God?

While most people know “gospel” means good news, not everyone understands what’s so good about Jesus. Most people know only bits and pieces of the good news.

December 13, 2022

Why was Jesus’s birth significant?

Without Christmas, there could be no Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, or salvation. And if we miss the identity and purpose of that baby born in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago, we have missed everything.

December 11, 2022

God’s glory in creation according to Psalm 19

God communicates to us through everyday, ordinary things. Most of the time, we’re too busy to slow down long enough to listen.

December 8, 2022

Never take your wife for granted

Eve was a gift to Adam to be loved, respected, and appreciated, which perhaps Adam would have missed had God not first given him a taste of life without her.

December 6, 2022

Charles Spurgeon’s ministry and theological battles

Spurgeon said, “Let us hold fast to the truth of the inspiration of God’s Word.” That conviction saved him in his theological battles and made him a powerful preacher.

The life and ministry of John Calvin

Calvin taught, preached, wrote, and counseled people worldwide. Despite his physical afflictions which increased with age, he never stopped working for the glory of God.

John Calvin’s influence on Western civilization

We often acknowledge that the United States was founded on Judeo-Christian principles. If we want to be more specific, this country was founded on Calvinism.

William Tyndale’s contribution to the Reformation

We owe both our Bibles and, in large part, our language to William Tyndale. He was God’s instrument in bringing the English-speaking world out of the darkness.

A short history of Martin Luther

It’s hardly a stretch to say Martin Luther changed the world. He was God’s instrument for rescuing countless people from the bondage of legalism.

Augustine’s theology of sovereignty and joy

At the heart of Augustine’s theology is the heart, and he discovers the greatest joy of all is found only in Christ.

Saint Augustine’s conversion to Christianity

God leads Augustine to a much-needed breaking point, where he finally throws himself at the mercy of God and learns to trust in Christ alone for salvation.

Who was Athanasius, and what did he do?

Athanasius risked his life and spent years in exile for the sake of the truth—for the sake of a single letter, albeit one with absolutely vital theological significance.

What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ?

Christ continues to work and teach through his church. He lays on us the responsibility to share his word with the world around us as his ambassadors, his loyal and thankful spokesmen.

October 2, 2022

The marriage of the Lamb is coming

As strange as it may seem at first glance, Revelation 19 is both a funeral and a wedding, but there isn’t the slightest hint of sorrow or grief.

September 25, 2022

What does it mean to be a lukewarm church?

How many prosperous churches meet together while Christ stands outside the door—too self-satisfied to realize he’s missing?

September 18, 2022

Biblical worldview: Science

Today, my brother in Christ, Roger Cryan, discusses science from a biblical worldview.

Biblical worldview: Environment

Our concern is the biblical worldview, and the Bible does have something to say about it. Scripture does have something to offer regarding our relationship with and responsibility to God’s creation.

Biblical worldview: Music

Today, my brother in Christ, Charlie Hueni, discusses music from a biblical worldview.

Biblical worldview: Social justice

Naturally, we hear the word justice, especially those of us in the church, and we assume social justice must be a good thing. The truth is, social justice has very little to do with justice.

Biblical worldview: Education

Today, you will hear my brother in Christ, Nate Blair, who happens to be a public educator, address the biblical worldview regarding education.

Biblical worldview: Marriage

Today, we continue our series on developing a biblical worldview. You will once again hear my brother in Christ, Roger Cryan, address the subject of marriage.

Biblical worldview: Identity

As our Creator, God determines our identities, and rebellion against our God-given identities is rebellion against God, but we naturally want to follow our desires.

Biblical worldview: Economics

Our God-ordained purpose is to experience and reflect his glory in every possible way. This, of course, includes the way we view and use money, property, and possessions.

The total depravity of man in Psalm 14

Man is not good. We are not even morally neutral. As David says in Psalm 14, “They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one” (Ps 14:3).

July 17, 2022

Biblical worldview: Gender and sexuality

Today, we continue our series on developing a biblical worldview. You will hear my brother in Christ, Roger Cryan, speak on gender and sexuality.

Biblical worldview: Abortion

According to the Bible, human life is inherently sacred by virtue of our creation, and because it is sacred, protecting human life is imperative.

Biblical worldview: Introduction, part 2

We continue our series on developing a biblical worldview. Once again, you’ll hear from my brother in Christ, Roger Cryan, as he continues his introduction of this study.

Biblical worldview: An introduction

The goal of this series, “Developing a biblical worldview,” is to examine some of our culture’s most pressing issues in light of what God’s authoritative word says about them.

The benefits of confronting death

Only in confronting the tragedy and horrors of death can we truly see and embrace what God promises.

Death slowly takes everything

Death is always taking from us, little by little, until it finally takes everything down to our last breath. It perpetually eats away at everything good, and its appetite is never satisfied.

Solving the problem of vanity

Futility is a universal problem. Every people of every generation has faced this dilemma. How can life or anything we do in life have any meaning if the end is the same for all mankind? We all die.

Who are we in light of death?

Are we significant? Do we have the value we naturally feel we have? Or, are we merely an insignificant speck in the universe, no better than a goldfish we flush down the toilet?

Teach us to remember death

Scripture confronts us with our mortality on nearly every page. It will not let us forget that we will die. Why? “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Ps 90:12).

Saved to sit at the feet of Jesus

A genuine conversion to Christ is accompanied by a sincere desire to know more about him. We’ll want to study his steps, so we can follow after him.

May 1, 2022