Faith
Why Preachers Fail Doctrinally
Since at least the days of Hymenaeus and Alexander, some preachers have lost their moorings doctrinally and suffered shipwreck concerning the faith (1 Tim. 1:18-20). Sometimes this accompanies or attempts to justify a moral failure, but often the doctrinal digression stands alone. Leaving the truth often occurs early in a preacher’s ministry when—while still young…
Read MorePortrait of a Lovely Woman
Geography and era have a tremendous effect on how people see beauty. A basic survey of art history demonstrates this principle rather quickly, but even a quick review of noted Hollywood beauties over the last century would produce a similar result. The standards for female beauty in Northern Europe, Central Africa, the Middle East, and…
Read MoreWhich Way Do You Lean?
In the earliest days of sports in America, hand-eye coordination and natural athleticism ruled the day. That does not mean that athletes did not train or prepare—competitors did that even in the ancient world—but rather that they focused solely on improving themselves. In many individualized sports, this remains the focus. However, in a number of…
Read MoreThe Mere Edges of His Ways
Job’s friends began their speeches with great bluster and ended with a tiny whimper. They thought they understood everything they needed to know to address Job’s situation, but their assumptions could not stand up against Job’s rebuttals. Thus, as Job countered this final attempt, he challenged their presumptive manner in claiming to speak on God’s…
Read More“If a Man Dies, Will He Live Again?”
The reality of various hardships in life strikes more often than we would wish and usually harder than we think we can endure. Some battle guilt and depression while others fight health challenges, both on a daily basis. Within hours we may mourn the loss of one dear to us and also learn of the…
Read MoreTrue Believers
The situation described in Psalm 125 is specific enough to offer an excellent picture of the challenges facing the author and his companions while generic enough to prevent assigning it to a specific time or incident. The LORD’s people were under threat in some fashion and needed God’s protection (Psa. 125:1-2) because wicked rule had […]
Read MoreThe Beauty of Hindsight
From the moment Moses’ original appearance before Pharaoh led to that ruler’s hard hearted crackdown on the family of Jacob, the children of Israel established their spiritual credentials as unappreciative complainers in response to the goodness of the LORD. Even as they came to recognize His power through the ten plagues, their instincts focused on […]
Read MoreA Personal God
When I peruse the religious landscape of America, it sometimes baffles me how people can claim to read the Bible, love the Bible, and follow the Bible while remaining completely oblivious to the true nature of the God of the Bible. Some see only a harsh, judging God who destroyed the peoples of Canaan, punished […]
Read MoreRefuge in Life
In God We Trust. The national motto of the United States of America rings hollow today considering the rampant march toward immorality perpetrated by her government. And yet this hypocrisy demonstrates, by its irony, the importance of real trust. Throughout the Bible, trust always serves as the central characteristic of a strong relationship with God. […]
Read MoreBack from Depression
Depression can affect anyone, including people of faith. This reality has escaped some people who act like faith alone can prevent every instance of sadness, every emotional hardship, and every psychological challenge. However, the melancholy musing recorded in Psalm 88 counters all such claims as the inspired psalmist penned this song from a heart overwhelmed […]
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