Articles

Articles

FORGETTING LABELS

I hope it’s a sign of becoming more heavenly-minded to find myself uninterested in labels among true believers any more. When we’re the next world, what possible difference could they make? What good are they now, except to create division, end conversation, and promote loyalties that may diffuse our true loyalty to Christ alone? I don’t mean Bible TRUTHS are unimportant, or that they shouldn’t be talked out passionately—just that it seems more consistent to be Bible Christians than system…

What is a Missionary?

What is a missionary? He is not only an evangelist because there is a such person as an evangelist that God has gifted and given to the churches. But he must at least be sincerely, consistently and powerfully evangelistic, because it is out of new converts that he will begin churches. He isn’t only a teacher, because there is such a person as a teacher that God has given to the churches. But he is no less than a very…

What It Means to Praise the Lord: a Brief Primer

If I say, “I just want to praise you, Lord,” I’m saying something good about my motives. If I say, “I praise you, Lord,” I’m describing my good actions. If I say, “Thank you Lord for answering my prayer,” I have not praised him, but thanked him. If I say, “Praise the Lord!” I’ve asked others to say something to honor him. If I say, “Lord, you alone know the future and will accomplish all your plan,” I have praised…

Thirty-five Questions for Maturing a Christian Marriage

The following questions are not intended for short answers such as a mere “yes”, but are a means to meaningful discussion between a man and a woman who have vowed to love each other “until death do us part.” Take your time to talk them over. Let the conversation flow. You may answer these questions in any order you wish, or all at one time. Two rules apply: First, be painfully honest. Nothing much has happened to improve marriages without…

The Past Symbology and the Present Glory

“Those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. “He said to the sons of Israel, ‘When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, “What are these stones?” then you shall inform your children, saying, “Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground. For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red…

Moses’ Speech Problem

Some of the most potent speeches ever heard by men were given by Moses. Consider his speech recalling the episodes in Israel’s history on the plains of Moab before his assistant Joshua would lead the Israelites over to the Promised Land. And his eloquence seen in the “songs of Moses” in Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32, and Psalm 90, is unparalleled. His song in Exodus 15 is sung in heaven (Revelation 15:3)! No Wordsworth, or Dickinson, Keats or Frost will be…

The Lord’s Prayer: Something is Missing

It turns out that the Lord’s Prayer does not model every aspect of prayer. Thanksgiving and intercession, two aspects of prayer which characterize both Christ’s and Paul’s prayers, are strangely missing. A key may be in Mt. 6:8 just before the model prayer: “FOR THE LORD KNOWS WHAT YOU HAVE NEED OF BEFORE YOU ASK HIM.” It appears that the model prayer demonstrates sincerity and brevity related to our prayers about our NEEDS. ——- “And when you pray, you must…

When You Should NOT Offer Biblical Counsel

After the church gathering on a Sunday, imagine a friend pulling you aside and asking, “Would you mind talking for a bit? I’m dealing with something — failure in a particular area actually — and I’d appreciate your counsel.” What would you do? I’m sure you would want to help. But should you? Initially, assume the best about the person and praise him for his willingness and humility to ask for help. You might also express your confidence that, with…

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…

A Spinning Fox

Please read the poem. It isn’t what you have ever been called perhaps — “a spinning fox.” But it may describe you at times. Demons are real and they are spirits that have the nature of their father, Satan. Like that father, they are riled by righteousness. They cannot help this; and, they will never reform. Like their father they wish to destroy you in every way they can. Jesus called Satan “a liar and a murderer” (Jn 8:44). With…

Jesus’ Absolute Confidence in the Old Testament

A powerful story from Jesus emphasizing His confidence in the truthfulness, authority and gospel content of the Old Testament— THE RICH MAN (tormented in hades addressing Abraham in heaven or paradise): “Then I beg you father, that you send him [Lazarus] to all my father’s house, for I have five brothers, in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” ABRAHAM: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear…

Inclinations Toward Art and What Shapes Them

When you visit an art museum, what appeals to you? For me, among the various genres of art and subjects of any one presentation, I am most drawn to what is beautiful or majestic or inspiring, and is realistic and revealing of the true nature of things, or perhaps the true inner nature of things. I don’t mind the idealizing of some of these paintings. The caustic, crude, and often ugly paintings for stark idealogical messaging are generally ruled out…

A Strategy for an Extended Time of Corporate Praying and Singing

*Below is a possible way to enjoy a time of corporate prayer with your church. We followed this pattern on a Wednesday evening, taking a little less than two hours (including a break). We had people sit in groups of 5 or 6 and encouraged them to face the musicians whenever singing. I guided our church through this night along with two musicians. Other “seasons of prayer” could have been included, but this is what was chosen for this particular…

Disinterestedness

Disinterestedness. This compelling word is not about what you might expect. We have all seen (and been) the disinterested student, expressionless, gazing into some unknown blank space outside the classroom, waiting out the final eternal moments of the professor’s pedantic, sleep-inducing hum. That describes a use of the word, but not our use. What we wish to say with this word is immensely desirable; it was once employed to describe the best of conditions of the believer. The following intriguing…

When Your Pastor Thinks He’s Brother Molehill

It might surprise you to know that many pastors who have generous smiles on their faces each Sunday are, deep down, very disheartened. Pastoring a church is difficult work. For one thing, it is usually thankless. I know there are some churches that seem to remember their pastors with much fanfare, but most churches do not ever esteem them. They don’t work for just the members ultimately, so they can get over it, but never hearing those words, “Thanks for…