Posts from 2025
“I Forgive Him”: The Potency of Forgivness
The wife of Charlie Kirk, Erika, said with much emotion that she forgives her husband’s assassin. “I forgive him” were words which powerfully impacted the thousands in the arena and millions streaming during the memorial service for her husband. She meant, of course, that she would not personally avenge herself of her husband’s blood. That would be God’s business. Surely the following passage of Scripture was in her mind: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.…
He Just Died: A Letter From Jim
Dear CCW family, “He just died.” “She just died.” These are words I’ve heard nearly every year of my adult life. I heard them this week. One day these very words will be said about me. When these words, sober and simple, are spoken, the report is not meant to say that death is all that happened. In other words, it isn’t supposed to convey that he merely died. No one just dies. There is so much more to it…
The Story of a Boy Who Couldn’t Learn and then Died for His Friends
Don McClure was a missionary in Eastern Africa from 1928 until 1977, when he was shot and killed by militants in eastern Ethiopia. While living in a particular village, he and his wife, Lyda, provided schooling and housing for boys. One year, they were expecting 80, but 150 appeared. They somehow managed to take in 120. Among those who stayed was a boy named Orop, known for his completely flat head on top. Though eager, Orop was unable to learn.…
Jesus and Joseph
Like Jesus, Joseph was the special son of his father, beloved; like Jesus, Joseph was hated because his father loved him and because of his words and predictions of future authority; like Jesus, Joseph was plotted against; like Jesus, Joseph was stripped of a wonderful tunic, made bloody; like Jesus, Joseph was sold for silver; like Jesus, Joseph was taken to Egypt; like Jesus, Joseph was falsely accused; like Jesus, Joseph was given authority after humility; like Jesus, Joseph began…
The Last Act
Violence is the inevitable dénouement to pervading (especially sexual) corruption in society—the last act. God showed us that he hates it and that he will remove it justly when he comes again. Until then, seek to be like Noah. Live by faith in Christ our Savior, preach the gospel that cleanses from sin’s pollution and subdues its power, and wait patiently for his coming. “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And…
The Love of Beauty
I know beauty when I see it. I am now out-of-doors in the morning on a spring day, drinking coffee with the right kind of cup, a light breeze flowing over my shoulder, the prospect of a useful day (which is the best day for me) and a sense of God’s hand planning all events. It is the convergence of likable things made even more desirable by all the days not so perfect. I have had other days, strung tight…
Help for Seeking Jesus
Since the death of Charlie Kirk many have come to see that following Christ will give you purpose and significance, even if it costs you your life. Since so many are considering Jesus Christ right now, Here are some simple helps for true seekers. If our ministry can help in any way, please let us know. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Write me at info@ccwtoday.org. Jim Elliff
Could God Bring Awakening Among Progressive Churches?
“I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6 I do sincerely understand that form of compassion and optimism of those who believe the opposite of what Jesus said about himself. They wish to put the circle of God’s acceptance around all of mankind. Everyone is in. They believe this is truer to the God they want to follow, less embarrassing before the world, properly removes the awful stigma…
Your Favorite Famous Bible Teacher
Renowned Bible teachers are immediately accessible online. Thousands of their sermons are available at no charge. Some of these men speak at multiple conferences throughout the year and might even influence thousands daily. Do you have a favorite famous Bible teacher? Have you ever considered what place he should have in your life? Consider these three guiding principles: 1. Keep learning from him. God uses certain men in extraordinary ways for the growth of His kingdom. The Spirit is empowering…
The Book Alive
The husband had fallen asleep as his wife finished reading her Bible in bed. Suddenly she threw her hand on to the chest of the sleeping spouse, screaming out, “There’s a man in this book!” There is, indeed! In one sense, the Bible is simply a book, with rows of words in order, telling a story, informing or instructing. Yet, when the eyes of the person reading it are opened to its truth, and that God himself authored it, those…
Why Churches Lose Members
A church might lose members because its leaders are burdened with a new direction the people are unwilling to travel. Or, it might lose members because of natural calamities or factory closings. Perhaps the demographics of the community have changed, such as in rural areas where land that once used to be teeming with large families is now controlled by farming conglomerates. But often a church will lose members for less noble reasons. Some people will tell you to just…
The Painful Course of Inclusivism Without Repentance
Though one can in some ways understand the desire to be inclusive (without repentance) in the name of love as espoused in most mainline churches, it is a sad pattern that has emerged by that conviction —- the more inclusive they have become, the more they disintegrate. This pattern has been almost painful to watch, as literally millions have left these churches while they press on to disregard the true exclusivity of the gospel, that is, the good news that…
Mother Teresa Leona
James, the youth: If a person shows all the outward signs of being a Christian, should we assume the person is truly a Christian? The elderly but wiser Mr. Brockton: Not at all. The evidence for being a Christian will undoubtedly be seen in every true Christian, but the appearance of the evidence may deceive you. You must start at the starting place in your observations and be careful not to mistake the effect for the means. James: But suppose…
The Word Was In the World: Doing What?
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” Jn 1:10 We know that the “Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (v 14), and that He “explained” the Father (v 18), but what was the Son doing before all this? I believe, properly understood, that John 1 teaches that He was in the world. He was, in fact, God (“the Word was God,” v 1), so He was…
He’ll Stand
The following words by Paul the Apostle make for tangible peace between sincerely conscientious Christians who differ in convictions: “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand” (Romans 14:4). A true believer will ultimately stand justified before God, regardless of differences in those matters about which God has chosen to give no definitive command. In such areas we…
How We Use Our Statement of Faith
Churches have historically used confessions or statements of faith in order to summarize and clearly identify what they believe. Many historical confessions have been preserved, and are used by churches to this day. Instead of adopting an historical confession, we have chosen to use the following summary of biblical doctrine, entitled Holding Fast the Word of Life, as our statement of beliefs. Listed below are several important things you should understand about the purpose of our statement of faith, and…