Here are a few thoughts ruminating in my mind as I prepare to officiate at my son and his fiance’s wedding and Dawn and I soon mark 35 years of marriage. Simple vows are being stated; their beauty yet to be seen. A vow is a solemn oath. A pledge, a promise, a covenant. Marriage vows are not fancy words, flowery words.…

  (Excerpts from a recent blog on The Gospel Coalition… see full blog post here.)   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.…

Guard Yourselves From Idols We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has…

 The only effective safeguard against spiritual erosion is not (a) doctrinal statement on paper but personally to swallow the Word whole. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.  — Jeremiah 15:16  By Ray Ortlund, Senior Pastor…

35 Reasons Not To Sin By Jim Elliff, www.ccwtoday.org 1. Because a little sin leads to more sin. 2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God. 3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted. 4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me. 5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.…

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.　 — ISAIAH 41:10　 By Barnabas Piper, Content Marketing Strategist at LifeWay Christian Resources In 1964 my grandfather shared this verse with my father as he was…

  “At its root, support for homosexual behavior is not simply a different interpretation of Scripture; it is a rejection of Scripture itself.”   Contending for the Faith – Four Realities to Consider Regarding Homosexual Behavior Below are excerpts from an essay written by Kevin DeYoung, a pastor in East Lansing, Michigan. Many Christians are willing to say homosexuality is wrong, but…

Back in 1923, J. Gresham Machen wrote a little book, ‘Christianity and Liberalism.’ I won’t take the time to give you all the details surrounding the impetus for writing it, but Machen was contending for what he believed to be the faith delivered once for all to the saints (Jude 3). Below are a few excerpts which help me understand what, I…

The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil. – Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 Dear Church Family: A recent e-mail exchange with a friend regarding their living choices reminded me how easy it is to…

Casting myself on the Only God who can save me from the Only God “Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors.Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have…