Helping you grow in God's all-sufficient grace and truth
Scripture is the inspired Word of God and the ultimate authority for what we believe (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:16–21). However, though I was raised in the Roman Catholic Church, I never opened a Bible until I
Continue reading
When we read the history of Jesus’s crucifixion, we may easily skim over a man named Barabbas. But we shouldn’t overlook him—because, in many ways, we are all Barabbas. Barabbas was a rebel. And so are we.Isaiah 53:6 says, “All
Continue reading
Yesterday, our church continued our study of Ezra and Nehemiah in a series titled Repent, Restore, Rebuild. After reflecting on Ezra’s prayer of confession for the returning exiles (Ezra 9:5-15), I led our congregation in a similar prayer. Two members
Continue reading
For the past few years, I have been augmenting my morning Bible time by reading daily devotionals. This year it is Holiness Day by Day, which comprises 365 brief excerpts from the writings of one of my spiritual mentors, Jerry
Continue reading
For the past decade, the biblical counseling world has been working to produce insightful resources to address the epidemic of domestic abuse, which is more prevalent in Christian homes and churches than we realize. Therefore, I am excited about a
Continue reading
“No matter how biblical your perspective, there will be times when grief knocks you off your feet. Take heart; your Good Shepherd is beside you in that shadowy valley until it ends—and one day it will end.” So writes Randy
Continue reading
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:30) A yoke is a bar that joins two animals together to haul a load. It makes their work easier because their burden is now shared. When we answer
Continue reading
If the need to be saved from our sins is our biggest problem in life (and it is!), then it is good that you want to be 100% certain that this problem is 100% solved. The problem of sin and
Continue reading
In the early months of 1984, the Holy Spirit caused me to be born again in Christ through a home Bible study in the Gospel of John. In some ways, it’s hard to believe four decades have passed. In other
Continue reading
Depression, or deep discouragement of the soul, has been part of the human experience since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Whether it is related to bodily disease, grief from a loss, a conscience bothered by sin,
Continue reading
[Originally posted November 3, 2015] I’m thankful for my father and mother who set an example of faithful citizenship. From my earliest days, I remember Mom and Dad going to the local town hall to vote. Back then I didn’t
Continue reading
Last year, Lou Priolo, a gracious friend and mentor went to be with the Lord. Afterward, I pulled some of his books off my shelf and was reminded of how the Spirit used him to counsel me. One book, in
Continue reading
Last week, I finished reading Dale Johnson’s book The Church as a Culture of Care. I was blessed and encouraged by his call to return soul care to the body life of the church. So, I thought I’d share some
Continue reading
“Grandpa died,” my mom said when her phone call from Grandma ended. I was a sophomore in high school. After retiring from his career as an assembler of wood-paneled station wagons at the Ford Motor Company, my mom’s father spent
Continue reading
The history of Ohio, the state where I live and serve as a pastor, contains the account of the Cuyahoga River Fire of 1969, which is one of the most significant fires in history. On the morning of June 22,
Continue reading
Whether God gives you familial sons, biological and/or adopted, every Christian man is called to help raise the next generation of “sons in the faith.” If you are interested in thinking about the discipleship of young men in the church,
Continue reading
As a teaching fellow for the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, I enjoy being involved in the final phase of training for men and women who want to become a certified biblical counselor. As a fellow, I require my students
Continue reading
In the Bible, the heart is the always-active, ever-worshiping, always-wanting-something control center of our lives. Therefore, when something or someone gets in the way of our desires and expectations, we are tempted to respond in anger. Then, if we allow
Continue reading
By God’s grace, I’m a husband, dad, grandpa, and pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Mayfield Hts, OH. I love Christ because He first loved me.
