Helping you grow in God's all-sufficient grace and truth
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I caught that. I have what?” “I said the tests are conclusive. You have cancer. I’m very sorry.” It doesn’t matter what has transpired before we or our loved ones hear these words, or what
Continue reading
While meditating on John 15:1-8 the past few mornings, it has occurred to me that our interpretation of the sanctifying work that God accomplishes in the Christian’s life—especially during times of trial—is directly related to our understanding of pruning, which
Continue reading
In light of the psalmist’s assurance of God’s protection: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” he instructs us to “Cease striving” (Psalm 46:10). The Hebrew word translated “cease” means to sink or relax. “Striving”
Continue readingWhile reading a chapter in How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil, by D. A. Carson, I was struck by this excerpt, which introduced to me a poem I had not seen before: “Frequently it is when we
Continue readingAs we saw a couple days ago, the disciples asked the wrong question about the cause of the blind man’s disability. Thankfully, Jesus gave the right answer. The blind man’s disability was not the result of his sin, or the
Continue readingHere’s more God-centered encouragement from Paul Tripp’s book A Shelter in the Time of Storm. [O]ur inability to find security for ourselves is so profound that we’d never find on our own the One who is to be our rock;
Continue readingWhere should my sense of security come from? That’s a vital question. Here’s how Paul Tripp counseled me last evening. If you are God’s child, you are the object of the love of the Person who rules everything that there
Continue reading[Today’s post was submitted by one of our occasional guest bloggers, Dave Coats. Dave is a pastor, certified biblical counselor (ACBC), college professor, and author of Building a Pure Life.] We all go through trials of various kinds. We may
Continue readingJames, the half-brother of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is the author of one of the most commonly read New Testament exhortations to believers concerning trials. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that
Continue readingSeveral weeks ago, my son-in-law loaned me two CDs from the Christian band Casting Crowns. One disc, Lifesong, ministered to me in deep ways, especially tracks two through five, which I must have played in my car a hundred times.
Continue readingThe Subtle Art of Destroying Humans – John Knight: “As I had warned you, I was concerned that your boisterous assault on the unborn vermin with the rare chromosomal makeup (the “disabled,” as the other vermin call them) was going
Continue reading
As we watch tragic events unfolding, or more particularly as we experience adversity ourselves, we often are prone to ask God, “Why?” The reason we ask is because we do not see any possible good to us or glory to
Continue readingI encourage you to take 15 minutes this weekend to read these three articles. How the Ayers Family Buried their Eight Children – “When I first discovered the Ayres family story in Fairview Cemetery, I was heartbroken as I realized
Continue readingDo the troubles of life ever leave you so wiped out physically, mentally, and emotionally that all you can do is squeak out “God, help me!”? Then Psalm 121 is for you. What solid encouragement the psalmist penned for us
Continue readingHere are 6 articles that I found interesting and personally edifying this week. Distracted Shepherds? – Matthew Olson writes, “Technology certainly speeds things up, but not all of the effects are good. Pastors are not exempt.” Supporting the NANC Proposed
Continue readingBetrayal. One word. Three syllables. A dictionary full of pain – a world of hurt that many know only too well. A broken confidence. A ruined relationship. A shattered heart. Betrayal comes to all and when it comes it comes
Continue readingThe following lengthy quotation has sat on my stand-up desk for over a year now. It convicted me then and, again, last week when I rediscovered it while cleaning my office. It is from A Portrait of Paul: Identifying a
Continue reading
“I should have been as though I had not been, carried from womb to tomb” are the words of the suffering Job as he voiced his complaints to God (Job 10:19). Having lost every earthly belonging, and all ten of
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.
