Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24, ESV). The Barna Organization® researches all things Christianity — youth in church, adults in church, whether youth are leaving or coming back to church, pastors doing well or poorly, finances, theological […]
Resilient Families Read More »
It’s over. My wife and I, on a “traveling” whirlwind, have been out of town conducting conferences (and enjoying vacation) seven of the last 11 weekends. We’ve been to Oklahoma, Virginia Beach, Cincinnati, Dayton, Springfield, and Panama City, Panama. Whereas the Apostle Paul writes about his travels, “Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18, ESV). Easter focuses on the resurrection of Jesus, as it should. He has risen, and you should be thinking, “He has risen, indeed!” But let’s not forget the cross; without it,
The Crucifixion Rethought Read More »
One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28, NLT) At the time of Jesus, scholastic consensus held that the Law and the Prophets (the Jewish term for our
Integrity Relationships Read More »
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near (Revelation 1:3, NASB1995). When reading the Book of Revelation, most don’t notice Revelation 1:3 — unfortunate because of its message: Blessed is he who reads, hears, and heeds the
Saturday’s Revelations on Revelation #3 Read More »
A billionaire inventor sold his business and went to work with the poor in another country. While there, he was accused of subverting peace, seeking to overthrow the government, and was arrested. During his trial, he was spat on by soldiers, mocked by a large crowd, beaten, and finally executed (Philippians 2:6-8, OGV [Old Guy
Servant Leadership Read More »
And he (Jesus) sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, ‘Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he
Seating Arrangements at the Last Supper Read More »
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8a, NASB1995). My 2026 New Year’s resolution, rather short and simple: to draw near to God, so that He will draw near to me. It’s not easy, as I’m experiencing “the drawing near to Him and Him to me” as one of the most
Three Lessons on Drawing Near to God Read More »
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8, ESV). I’ve listened to believers repeat the prayer of Isaiah in a moment of passion and emotional conviction, “Here I am, Lord! Send me.” A great prayer,
Burning Lips of Isaiah’s Prophecies Read More »
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8, ESV, emphasis mine). Why did Paul write so many lists in his epistles? Anyone who reads Paul
Why Paul Writes So Many Lists Read More »