Category: Church

Are You a Single Christian Man? Should You Be Faithful to Your Wife Before You Meet Her?

When discipling single men, eventually I ask, “Are you faithful to your wife?” They look quizzically at me and explain, “But, I”m not married.” “So, it’s okay to be unfaithful to your wife before you meet her?” “Well, I’m not sleeping around.” “So, that’s the standard? No sex before marriage? What about all the stuff…
When You Pray to God, Don’t Take “No” for an Answer

Trouble. Time to pray. It was a bad situation and getting worse. You prayed – earnestly, sincerely, agonizingly – you prayed . . . and then, it happened anyway. Where was God in all that? Has anything ever happened to you that made you think God was against you? We naturally feel the hard things…
How To Break Free From a Life of Guilt and Shame

~BOOK REVIEW/RECOMMENDATION~ Christy Fitzwater knows a thing or two about guilt and shame. It’s like she has a target, right on her forehead…or somewhere deep in the secret places of her heart. And the arrows? . . . right on the bull’s eye, every time. When she’s honest with herself, she knows she’s a failure.…
Why You Should Keep Faith . . . When Life Throws Its Worst At You.

His feet thumped across the lawn and pounded up the steps as I instinctively glanced at the time. 5:50 am. (we’re early risers!) Why is he making such a racket? He’s sure to wake Lisa. A split second passed before Dauntless, our 12 yr. old, crashed through the front door on his race from Grandpa’s place across the driveway, but I was ready. A…
THE HARD EDGE OF GRACE – Is the Jesus Preached in Your Church Leading People to Heaven or Hell?

Some people can’t be helped. Jesus Christ is one of them. Many Christians today are committed to the idea that, if they just get Jesus “right”, representing Him well by loving everyone enough, then His message will be received and good feelings will abound. It’s a nice idea. It’s a comforting idea. It’s just not…
Is Hate Ever Appropriate for the Christian? Is It Ever Required?

Hate? Not us. We’re Christians. We’re not supposed to hate, are we? I still remember the prof at Multnomah Bible School (now Multnomah University), where I attended for one year before going to college. After class, a few of us gathered around to hear him field questions. “We’re not supposed to hate sin.” He said.…
How to Trade Anxiety & Fear for Hope & Peace

Voices we listen to . . . they’re powerful, aren’t they? And, not just the voices inside the heads of young, immature kids. We expect them to be powerfully affected by their thoughts and self-talk. What about us? What about the adults in the room . . . about you and me? You’ll never measure up…
Modesty and What My 12 Year Old Son Has To Do with How You Dressed Today

Show up with your personal standards and you are automatically deemed to be judging others who don’t share your conviction. And when you say, “I’m not judging others, this is my personal conviction,” you are automatically deemed to be judging others who don’t share your conviction. Why? Because there is one value you can’t challenge…
Can Young Children Repent and Be Truly Saved?

As parents, sometimes we do the wrong thing for the right reasons. Take the salvation/conversion of kids. Often eager to hear a profession of faith, parents can push the process along until the child does what he thinks dad and mom want him to do: Ask Jesus to come into his heart. But, is that…
Why Jesus Was Not a Good Man . . . and why that’s a problem

There’s a problem with the Jesus of the Bible. He says ludicrous things and makes outlandish claims. So, is this what “Good Men” do? Just about anyone will tell you that Jesus was a good man, even avowed atheists. It’s the Jesus everyone is comfortable with – the good guy, the great teacher, the wise…
7 Truths for Conquering Sin in the Believer’s Life {NEW VIDEO SERIES}

Is falling into sin your inevitable fate as a Christian? If You Think Wrong, You’ll Never Live Strong! Consequently, what you think is true is far more powerful in affecting how you live your life than the actual truth. You are what you think. That’s why if you think wrong, you’ll never live strong. Question:…
Hallelujah – We’ve all been radically saved.

It’s not Christmas but if you want to turn your heart in praise to God for what He has done, the time of year doesn’t matter. This is the Christmas version of Leonard Cohen’s classic, Hallelujah. When I first heard it, it drove me to my knees in praise to our God. If you’re not…