Articles

Articles

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…

Is Zeal Enough? Rethinking the Missionary Call

I’m baffled with the phenomenon that so many become missionaries with a dangerously low level of insight into Scripture coupled with extraordinary romantic zeal. A handful of verses guide them, about which most have little true understanding. Their experience of church life is limited and often built on poor models, even though their labors are to be all about planting churches, making leaders (even if they’ve never been leaders before), and setting churches in biblical order. And, sadly, they have…

The Surprising Story of Bill Beery

My brother pastored an unconverted man on the rolls of the church. When it was discovered, some of the men in the church began to share Christ with him and soon he became a true believer in Christ. His name was Bill Beery, a direct relative of the famous deceased actor Wallace Beery. Bill was a physically imposing mechanic at 6’ 6”. But Lou Gehrig’s disease, the illness that physicist Stephen Hawkins endured, soon wilted him into a shadow of…

CCW and AI

Below is our simple statement on CCW and generative AI. If you have questions, please let us know. CCW and AI Since we believe that writing and speaking are human endeavors, we commit to offer our articles, books, and audio, written and spoken by our authors, free from generative AI. Also we will use our own editors to improve our work and will continue to make sure our sources are properly vetted. Thank you.       

Delivered by Desire (by Daryl Wingerd)

Delivered by Desire by Daryl Wingerd is one of the most effective of our books. Discussion questions are included for mentoring or small groups. Look, maintaining purity is a real problem and Christians have ammo to fight it. Wingerd has written a powerful book which some have called the best book on sanctification they have ever read. This book is no cost to you. Order for yourself if you will read it (we’re not doing this for free for it…

15 Resolves for Maintaining Spiritual Balance in Severe Interpersonal Conflicts

The pain of interpersonal conflict may seem too acute to bear. Sometimes we see these conflicts erupt suddenly among families, or between church members, or at work or school. They may involve serious allegations that tend to rip people apart in ways that seem irreparable. In these most severe ruptures of confidence, when the necrosis of sin is eating up the lives of those involved, is it possible to rise above and maintain a spiritual composure? Certainly that must be…