Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job
How the Oldest Book in the Bible Answers Today’s Scientific Questions– Hugh Ross. Baker Books. “For those who want to know more about how the Bible speaks to history and are seeking to reconcile faith and science, [this book] will provide stimulating insights and observations. Ross, a respected astrophysicist and Christian apologist…has written another insightful
How We Defeat Our Enemies
Victory is sweet. Whether it’s your son’s football game, your favorite team, making it a week with no failures on a diet plan, paying off nagging debt, closing a business deal—success brings a tremendous joy and sense of fulfillment. The amount of joy is directly related to the size of he enemy and the scope
The Cost
Prayer is the currency of the Kingdom of Heaven. God uses gold for asphalt on the streets of Heaven, but He places His highest value on the prayers of His children. Jesus is seated at His right hand. God has assigned to His Son and our Savior the office of Chief Intercessor. His place and
Guard Your Heart
One of my good friends growing up was a guy named Richie Beene. Although he only stood 5’6″ and weighed less than 130 pounds, pound-for-pound, he was perhaps the toughest football player I have ever seen. In fact, he once put a lick on my rib cage that I can still feel today if I
There Is a Hope
If all I did was watch the news and listen to the prognosticators, I would be very discouraged. I’d probably be in a cave in the mountains and become a mystic. But, that would be a mistake. Yes, I know the world is devolving (not evolving, that’s obvious even to a scientist with common sense),
My Favorite Cemetery (Part 2)
Retracing our steps and walking west, we pass Bunyan, then the graves of the Cromwells (not Oliver or Richard), and to the right discover the grave of Mrs. Susannah Wesley, mother of John and Charles—and seventeen others! In spite of her busy life, she spent at least one hour each morning and evening in prayer
"One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." - Andre Gide
Vision
Ten Signs That a Church Is in Trouble
From Thom Rainer’s consultation and notes. It is Rainer’s assessment that if a church displays four or more of these warning signs, then remedial efforts must take place. If six or more signs are present, the congregation is in immediate trouble. You should be concerned if: 1) You, the pastor, do not have adequate time
Facebook and Pastors
Bob Hostetler says “Facebook Makes Better Pastors.”Here’s why: 1) Facebook helps me connect with more people. 2) I send birthday greetings to church members who are on Facebook. 3) I’m in their loop. 4) I pray via Facebook. 5) Facebook makes me “normal.” 6) Facebook helps me lead by example. 7) Facebook helps me learn
The Leadership Ellipse
Shaping How We Lead by Who We Are – Robert A. Fryling. Formatio. From the foreword by Eugene Peterson:“[The] message is two-pronged: you can’t be a Christian activist without be contemplative; you can’t be a Christian contemplative without being an activist. With winsome accuracy he has joined two ways of life that are often ‘put
Early Christian Thinkers
The Lives and Legacies of Twelve Key Figures – Paul Foster (ed.). IVP Academic. “This collection of essays presents the thought and practice of the early church through the lives and works of twelve key Christians from the second and third centuries. . . . a necessary window into the early development of Christian orthodoxy.”
How Our Enemies Defeat Us
It is sad, true commentary, that most Christians live defeated lives in comparison to what they could be experiencing. A large measure of this is due to our ignorance of our enemy. We do not understand the “wiles of the devil” which gives him a massive tactical advantage. The Bible, in all its parts, is