The gospel is an old hymn. The gospel is sheet music printed in antiquarian typeface on a yellowed page in a dusty book. It’s the “old, old story” and the “old rugged cross.” It is four verses–and please don’t skip the third verse to expedite the invitation! The gospel is an invitation to a bygone … [Read more…]
I was recently asked about people’s claims of their dying and going to heaven. ‘Heaven tourism’ books (and movies) have become very popular the past 15 years. From what I’ve read the past couple years they are big money makers. One example is the movie, ‘Heaven Is For Real’ – about a little boy in … [Read more…]
How do you know when someone is repentant? Here are some thoughts from Jonathan Leeman. In Matthew 18 Jesus provides us help for determining true repentance: would we be willing to cut off a hand or tear out an eye rather than repeat the sin (Matt. 18:8-9)? That is to say, are we willing to … [Read more…]
Behold, a mother lay down at the close of a busy day. Her sons and daughters and her husband, verily had been given sustenance and were asleep on their beds. As the weary mother slept, behold she dreamed a dream and in this dream, lo, she stood just inside the Eastern gate of the Heavenly … [Read more…]
A half-truth is a whole lie – Yiddish proverb Beware of the half-truth; you may have gotten hold of the wrong half – Anonymous It is true we should try to imitate Jesus (I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:7-18). But beware of the notion that ignores or denies the fact Jesus is primarily our substitute. For … [Read more…]
The past few months I’ve heard several people speak about the need to forgive themselves. On the internet, I found the subject’s very popular. Even WebMD, and Psychology Today weigh in. Sometimes Christians pick up a phrase or concept and assume its validity without going to God’s word first. I found a stunning absence … [Read more…]
My Understanding of, “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man” – I Timothy 2:12 By Pastor Tedd Mathis Pueblo West Baptist Church February 2017 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly … [Read more…]
You probably don’t need to hear reasons that it’s important to read the Bible. You know it is. But you might need some motivation. One way to get excited about reading the Bible is to rethink your Bible-reading strategy. Here are three tips for better Bible reading: Tip #1. Listen to audio-Bibles. When you listen … [Read more…]
One of the best-selling ‘faith-based’ books in recent history, The Shack, has been made into a movie. The movie is to open the first week of March. Promotional trailers and movie clips are already available on social media. Since it was first published in 2007, the book has sold somewhere around 20 million copies. I suspect … [Read more…]
