Someone has said, “Perhaps the greatest single weakness of the contemporary Christian church is that millions of supposed members are not really involved at all, and what is worse, do not think it strange that they are not.” It is our expressed goal to get our congregation invested in small groups. Now the purpose of […]
“You can’t really love anyone until you love yourself.” Have you heard that? Only problem – it’s unbiblical. The world is filled with the notion of self-love and self-esteem. The church has unfortunately bought into this jargon. Many Christian psychologists wrongly teach one must love him/herself before they can love others. Such teaching is based […]
Spiritual sweetness does not just happen spontaneously as we age. In fact, I am convinced the older we get the easier it becomes to grow negative and critical. Many years ago, in a different state, Sue and I had dinner with an older couple from a mutual contact. It was horrible. Honestly, I have never […]
I want to heartily recommend the book, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers, by Dane Ortlund. Our men’s Tuesday night study just finished discussing the book last month. Here are a few reviews from some of our men. “The study gave a new perspective on the vastness of Christ’s love […]
A few weeks ago the United States Supreme Court overruled a decision made by the court 50 years ago regarding abortion. We continue to hear a mostly one-sided perspective from the news and even from our president – how SCOTUS usurped its authority. Nothing could be further from the truth. The 1972 ruling was a […]
Susan and I have the joy of attending the dedication of our granddaughter, Abigail in Portland, MI today. She is the third daughter of Trisha and Michael. In my absence you have the privilege of hearing Waad Haddad as he fills the pulpit for me. I’ve asked Waad to give you an update on what […]
On Mother’s Day I quoted some short statements from pastor-blogger Tim Challies regarding the family. I share additional comments on this special day honoring dads. “Find a couple whose grown children you’d be proud to call your own. Ask that couple if you can spend some time with them to either ask them questions about […]
Deconstructing one’s faith has become the latest craze. Recently I was given a post by a professing Christian regarding how she had been shamed as a child regarding the death of Christ. The woman called it “religious trauma.” She wrote to a younger version of herself: “Dear younger version of me, how dare anyone blame […]
I heard on the local evening news credit card debt has reached a 10 year record high. COVID seems to be partly to blame – along with rising inflation. Credit card debt is a bad habit to get into. Sue and I fell into that trap early in our marriage. Looking back, it wasn’t that […]
It has been said Memorial Day honors those who never were able to take off the uniform – Veteran’s Day is to honor those who did. Tomorrow we salute the men and women who died in service of our nation. The holiday originated during the Civil War; first called Decorations Day in memory of fallen […]