Fighting Fear with Fear
It’s been a few weeks since my review of Wayne & Joshua Mack’s book, Courage, was published at Books At a Glance, but it came to my mind this morning when I recommended the book to someone who is counseling
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“Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24
Ten Qualities to Look for When Choosing a Church
“In nearly twenty years of working at a biblical counseling center,” writes Jim Newheiser, “I have observed that the single greatest impediment to our counselees making progress is their lack of a proper relationship with a solid biblical church. Sometimes
Continue readingOur Greatest Contribution to the Good of Our Nation
Evangelical Christians continue to be obsessed with political activism as the answer to the problems of our nation. “If we can only get the right people into the right positions who can then make the right laws we can turn
Continue readingIn Christ There is Satisfaction and Peace
At our weekly staff meeting at church, we sometimes read from Valley of Vision. This morning, we prayed together the following request for the Lord to make us more and more content with all we have in Christ, which is
Continue readingIf God Is Sovereign, Isn’t Prayer Superfluous?
In his Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin gives us 6 reasons the providence of God does not render prayer unnecessary. “But, someone will say, does God not know, even without being reminded, both in what respect we are
Continue readingNuggets [5/20/16]
5 Reasons to Join the Global Summit – “Even if you cannot travel to the Chicago area, that doesn’t need to stop you from experiencing the blessings of learning about how God is using biblical counseling to expand his kingdom
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Work Out Our Own Salvation
As believers, we long to be more like Christ but some days we feel we are taking three steps forward and two steps back. How do we approach the Christian life? How do we make steady progress in our spiritual
Continue readingSuffering and Singing
Singing to the Lord is a significant means of ministering to our own souls in times of suffering. That’s one reason why we are so drawn to the Psalms, and why Suffering and Singing is a fitting title for a
Continue readingNuggets [5/13/16]
The BCC Global Summit is coming soon, June 5-7. 12 Principles for Disagreeing with Other Christians – This is an excellent post adapted from a new book on the conscience. Who and What Is an Evangelical? Evangelicals and Politics, Part
Continue readingEvery Pastor Must Counsel the Flock
In Colossians 1:24-29, the apostle Paul reveals his unceasing commitment to work toward the spiritual development, i.e. maturity, of believers. Paul was not content to simply lead people to saving faith in Christ and then leave them to fend for
Continue readingSome Favorite Quotes from “The Whole Christ”
While at the Shepherds’ Conference in Los Angeles, in March, I purchased a copy of Sinclair Ferguson’s The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, & Gospel Assurance. I devoured it in a couple days, finishing it before our plane landed back in
Continue readingNuggets [5/5/16]
Here are some articles to chew on. My Son’s Autism Changed Everything–Even Our Church – Sandra Peoples writes, “Like in our small church that rallied around my son following his autism diagnosis, many churches will soon realize it doesn’t take
Continue readingThere Is a Fountain
This past Sunday, we closed our communion service by singing what has become known as the “redemption anthem” of the church. It was written in the late 1700’s by an Englishman named William Cowper, one of the most famous poets
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The Horror of the Cross
We live in a culture that does not understand the symbol of the cross. Today, the cross has become a mere religious symbol. We do not see its horror. D.A. Carson writes, [T]he cross has become for us such a
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Nine Marks of a Christian Family
What makes a Christian family distinct from a non-Christian one? Is it the number of times those in it attend church each week, or are there many more fundamental differences? Recently, at a parenting workshop at our church, I passed
Continue readingNuggets [4/29/16]
Who’s In Charge? – “Requiring exact, immediate, pleasant obedience is a huge blessing. This establishes the parent’s God-given authority and helps children to see the value of honoring God’s authority.” The Secret Shame of Middle-Class Americans – “To struggle financially
Continue reading4 Misconceptions about Worship
The past few days, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Bob Kauflin’s newest book True Worshipers: Seeking what Matters to God. Having loved his first book, Worship Matters, I was excited when this one was released last year. In the second chapter,
Continue readingDr. Tom Zempel – Model of Grace and Truth
This past Lord’s Day, a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, co-laborer in calling the church back to biblical discipleship, and new friend entered the glorious reward of faith. Though I cannot say I’ve known Tom for a long time, the
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