Not About Me: Thoughts on a New Year

At ends and at beginnings, my mind is usually overrun with thoughts about the past, present, and future; failures and successes; regrets and resolutions; time and eternity; and a lot more.  This can be both good and bad.  I thought about developing some thoughts about redeeming culture, specifically the custom of making New Year’s resolutions.  But I … More Not About Me: Thoughts on a New Year

All I Want for Christmas: Simeon’s Hope

I’ve always thought that the account of Simeon in Luke 2:21-35 is a very precious and moving story.  I’ve read it and been stirred by it at all times of the year.  But of course, it’s particularly striking around Christmas. Simeon was an elderly man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he wouldn’t die until he had seen … More All I Want for Christmas: Simeon’s Hope

Master of Divinity

Lord-willing, I finish my Master of Divinity degree in one week.  That’s hard to believe.  I haven’t really reflected on the reality of it yet, but it’s a significant process that the Lord has brought me through.  My foremost concern going into seminary was that my heart would grow cold, I would learn to treat the … More Master of Divinity

Every Knee Will Bow

The great hope of all Christian labor and perseverance is that one day every knee will bow before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the king of the universe and the rightful ruler of the world.  If I didn’t believe this — and if God wasn’t faithful to remind me of it often — I would … More Every Knee Will Bow

Take Heed Lest You Fall

I think it can be very arrogant and ignorant to read about the failures of people in the Bible and to talk about those people as though they’re completely dense or slow or idiotic in light of the foolish things they did or the obvious responsibilities they neglected.  Treating historical figures condescendingly is easy for any sinner to … More Take Heed Lest You Fall

Ways to Pray for the Persecuted Church

The second Sunday of November (yesterday) was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  Here are some links and information about the persecuted church that I posted a couple days ago.  What that post lacked was some ways to pray for our suffering brothers and sisters around the world.  Here are seven, with their … More Ways to Pray for the Persecuted Church

International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

This Sunday November 12 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP).  The following are some links and resources about believers around the world who are suffering for their faith.  I haven’t thoroughly researched all of these sites and organizations, so read at your own discretion.  Unfortunately some of them are theologically ecumenical, … More International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Worldview Everywhere

I am becoming more and more convinced that if you ever stop thinking while you’re walking through this world, you’re done for.  Anti-God, anti-Bible, pro-self, pro-sin worldviews are everywhere, and they’re pumped into us (especially through media, entertainment, and technology) like an I.V. for the mind.  If you take one mental pit stop at the … More Worldview Everywhere

Harder to Live

About ten minutes ago I finished a long and thought-out post about rejoicing in the midst of trials instead of simply rejoicing in hindsight.  It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot over the past few months.  I felt that it was worth it to stay up later to write it, even though I knew … More Harder to Live

Signing Your Life Away

Today was RD Day Away, a day when the Deans’ Staff gets off campus and relaxes together.  We went to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley in the morning and early afternoon, Malibu Beach for the late afternoon and sunset, and a local fish restaurant called Froggy’s for dinner.  It was a refreshing day … More Signing Your Life Away