Love for other people—Jesus commands this and tells us that it is the hallmark of our identity as his disciples (John 13:35). There are many words that the Bible uses for the ways we ought to demonstrate this love for others: edification, discipleship, teaching, service, ministry, giving. In a previous article, I wrote about how... Read More
Proverbs 11: Invest in what has eternal significance
Have you ever woken up to a text message that had the potential to ruin your entire day before it even started? That’s what happened to me this morning. I got some bad news from a previous employer, telling me that the work I did for them back in September, which I still haven’t been... Read More
Looking for your next good read? Here’s my vote for best current Christian fiction
I love to review books on this blog, but my “must-read books” list usually highlights non-fiction Christian topical books. Today, though, I want to recommend what I truly believe are the best works of contemporary Christian fiction out there. If you are looking for a book for yourself or for a friend, these are perfect.... Read More
Cultivating virtue: A biblical pattern for real change
Words are powerful. They can change the world, one heart at a time. God has designed it this way as He created us and sent His Word into the world to rescue us. We use words to change the people in our lives, to communicate our love and our hopes and dreams for them. Public... Read More
Best Bible storybooks for kids
Even the littlest toddlers love to hear storybooks and look at them on their own. Storybook Bibles are a wonderful tool that we can have in our homes to put God’s truth in front of our kids from the earliest of ages. We are blessed to live in a time when so many have been... Read More
How often do you apologize to children?
Being an example of confessing and forsaking sin
Our time with our children rushes along, but there are moments that we hold onto and remember fondly. For me, one of these moments was so many years ago, when my daughter apologized spontaneously for the first time. It was one of the sweetest things I have heard come out of her mouth. Her younger... Read More
That time I sold the truth for just under ten dollars
Recently, a friend of mine wrote about a conversation he’d had with someone who worked as a cashier, and he was saddened to hear just how badly most people treat staff at grocery stores and in the service industry in general. I think it can be hard to live out the truth of the Bible... Read More
In loss and lockdown, God is our refuge
I love the song, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” I especially like the verse that says, “Here I raise my Ebenezer.” I love the original text, but I know it can be confusing for those of us who love Christmas Carol and are going to be distracted thinking about Ebenezer Scrooge instead of the... Read More
“That the next generation might know”: The benefits of teaching God’s word
Tiny toddlers with runny noses, rambunctious primary students, awkward adolescents, and apprehensive teens—our churches and our lives are full of young people. They are a joyful and important part of daily work for many of us. Some of us have the chance to avoid them, but we should instead be reaching out to them in... Read More
Redeeming Social Media: 3 Questions to Ask Ourselves as We Scroll
Staring down at our phones, stroking the screens as we scroll up through unending information and pictures. Social media has a strong hold on many of our lives. Can it be used in a way that honors God with the strengths it brings and avoids the pitfalls? I have argued for how we can use... Read More