Somewhere along the way, Christianity became transactional. In my mind, I thought "the good old days" from before my time were the ideal era, when Billy Graham gathered thousands into stadiums and "revival" swept the nation. Perhaps when Jack Hyles built a bus ministry that made his church the nation's largest megachurch. But it is …
No Excuses
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast …
My Brother’s Keeper
In the words of Elsa, sometimes people just need to "let it go" and move on with their lives. Jesus, however, leaves no room for His followers to ignore the offenses and hurts others carry without attempting reconciliation. He does not intend for us to live with strong walls that keep others out, nor does …
Hypocrisy’s Unveiling
 There are hypocrites in every church. Sadly, I have seen firsthand someone live a lie but still be allowed to preach in churches. Despite all the evidence against him, men turn a blind eye to the devastation he has caused and allow him to tell their congregation how to live. This is a reality in …
The Purifying Nature of Salt and Light
A heap of coarse sea salt sits on a rustic wooden table near soft natural light. The word salary is derived from the Latin word for salt: "sal." Roman soldiers were often paid with salt because it was a valuable commodity in a world without refrigeration. Salt preserved foods from rotting immediately. Its nature destroyed …
The Faith of Jesus
In this expensive housing market, first-time homebuyers rarely find the property of their dreams. My daughter and her husband have been praying for a while for just the right place, and after years of following her missionary parents around, my daughter saw God answer some big prayers that could only be attributed to Him. …
Pursuing Glory
You may not have ever heard his name. He lived a scandal-free life, above reproach. He was married and faithful to the same woman until her last breath just a few years ago. If you do not attend an independent Baptist church, you may not know who he was. But Jesus knows his name. …
Not All Who Wander Are Lost; Sometimes They’re Just Obstinate
A farmer tries to lead a resistant donkey along a dirt path on a rural farm. The Israelites' Red Sea moment celebrated the greatest victory they had ever seen in their lifetime. For four hundred years since Joseph's reign, God's people lived outside the land He had promised to Abraham. For at least a …
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Letting God
Christian cliches make me cringe. If it fits on a T-shirt or a social media meme, it is probably too simplistic to convey the full truth of God's Word. "Let go and let God" fits into the cringe category of Christian cliches, no doubt, but there is truth to unpack within the statement. It's a …
What Does the Bible Say About Pastors?
A woman speaks passionately from a pulpit during a church service The Old Testament prophets and priests functioned as the spiritual leaders of God's people. Jeremiah 23 frames the dismal picture of what that role had become. Truly, it does not sound far off from many of those in spiritual leadership today. 11 For both …
His Song in the Night 