April 8, 2024
"Do you realize that you own factories, warehouses, transport systems, and power plants?" David Faust writes. "It’s true! In fact, although you probably haven’t given them a single thought before today, you would literally die without these valuable possessions. . . ."
January 1, 2024
By David Faust Remember the song “Winter Wonderland”? It contains a line about a talking snowman that a cheery couple imagines to be an ordained minister. They nickname him Parson Brown. “Are you married?” he asks, and they respond, “No man, but you can do the job when you’re in town.” Parson comes from the Latin persona. In the past, some ministers were called “parsons” and their homes were known as “parsonages.” In his Commentaries on the Laws of England, the 18th-century legal expert Sir William Blackstone wrote that a parson’s job is to “carry out the business of the
May 29, 2023
"The word of the Lord" (a phrase that appears more in Jeremiah than any other book of the Bible) came to Jeremiah during the reign of good King Josiah. . . .
January 3, 2023
"I know that my last day could be any day," Alan Ahlgrim writes. He and four close ministry friends nearly skidded off the side of a mountain road in Colorado not long ago. "By God’s grace, we are living to serve another day."
November 7, 2022
Psalm 8 and Psalm 131 can easily be juxtaposed. Psalm 8 celebrates the worth and dignity of humankind as cocreators, while Psalm 131 celebrates the humility of humankind. . . .
May 24, 2021
God is omnipresent and inescapable. The trouble is, we can be oblivious and distractable. The problem isn’t God’s availability, but our awareness.
September 21, 2020
This “Application“ column goes with the Bible Lesson for Sept. 27, 2020: Lead (1 Timothy 3:1-16; 5:17-22) ________ By David Faust I don’t measure up. That feeling stirs in my heart when I read the daunting biblical qualifications for church leaders. From one perspective, what the Lord asks of leaders isn’t very different from what he asks of every Christian. Who shouldn’t be gentle and hospitable? Who shouldn’t avoid the love of money? But “above reproach” is a tall order. God has high expectations of church leaders, and “we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). Oversight of
September 26, 2017
By Shawn McMullen “Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone””and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true” (3 John 12). We don”t know much about the disciple named Demetrius. He”s mentioned only once in the New Testament, in John”s third letter. Some suggest he was the courier who delivered John”s letter to Gaius, but that”s speculation. We do know one thing about him. He enjoyed a good reputation among his brothers and sisters in the church. John described him as “well spoken of by everyone.” It seems everyone
October 14, 2016
By Danielle Hance The Bible says our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual strongholds of evil (Ephesians 6:12). However, more and more, it seems like Christians are known for their attacks on those who don”t follow a “Christian” lifestyle. As Christians, we should definitely be in the world and not of it, but that does not give us the right to tell anyone what to do, since we are all sinners in need of God”s forgiveness. Considering that God himself, who has every right to judge, did not send Jesus to condemn the world but
November 22, 2010
Karen Rees reflects on Psalm 139, showing how the all-knowing, caring God differs from other gods and why his people can share him with confidence.
July 29, 2007
Authentic Christian Living: Letting God and Others See the Real You Lisa Jernigan reflects on the masks people wear to hide insecurity, shame, and vulnerability. Through the idea of “eye/I contact,” she encourages honest self-examination, seeing ourselves through God’s eyes, and creating churches where people can safely live with greater authenticity and grace. Hiding from others can become a way of avoiding honest examination of ourselves. Seeing ourselves through God’s eyes can free us from shame, fear, and misplaced identity. Churches can become safer places when believers offer grace and give one another permission to be real. By Lisa Jernigan
January 14, 2007
A pastoral case for why preaching still matters. Matt Proctor explores the power of God’s Word, the responsibility of listeners, and the holy weight carried by those who step into the pulpit each week.
Steven F. Sturm explores what seeking God means and how believers can become attentive to his presence through everyday life, Scripture, contemplation, and honest examination of the soul.
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October 6, 2026
Rick Cherok
October 6, 2026
Landon Shuman
October 6, 2026
Doug Redford