Fifty-nine years ago, a man by the name of Jim Elliot was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. Fifty-nine years later, his life continues to a lasting impact, because of his devotion to his Savior. Elliot’s life can be summed up in his most famous quote: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Jim and Elizabeth Elliot spent their married life serving as missionaries in the jungles of Ecuador, giving up... Read more
One of my goals for my relationship with the Lord is to memorize scripture. I recently finished memorizing a few of my favorite psalms, and I love having the ability to quickly recall those verses to mind. Scripture memory is vital to a thriving and dynamic relationship with the Lord. Give Psalm 119 a read to see the value and importance of the Word of God. ” How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to... Read more
As I’ve watched current events unfold over the past few weeks, my heart has been deeply grieved over injustices, the misunderstandings from various communities, and the blatant murders of innocent lives. Michael Brown and the incidents that transpired in Ferguson recently sent the nation into an uproar. Then a few weeks later, the lack of a jury indictment for Eric Garner caused more tension and strife, and most recently, the killing of two innocent NYPD officers in Brooklyn have all... Read more
“No preacher has ever retained his hold on his hearers so entirely as he did for thirty-four years. His popularity never waned.” – J.C. Ryle (on the life of Whitefield) 300 years ago, a man by the name of George Whitefield entered into the world. Hailed as one of the greatest evangelists and preachers ever to have lived, Whitefield played a key role in the Great Awakening, and devoted his life to spreading the Gospel throughout Britain and America during the mid-1700s. The... Read more
During this Christmas season, I’ve been going through John Piper’s advent devotional entitled “Good News of Great Joy”. Each day begins with a scripture reading, followed by a short devotion walking through the Advent season. (You can download the free ebook here.) The world “Advent” means “coming”, and Piper does a wonderful job of encouraging the soul not only to look forward to Christmas, but also to the ultimate hope found in Christ. In the beginning of the ebook, Piper has a preface entitled,... Read more
Editors’ Note: This article is part of the Patheos Public Square on Heroes of 2014. Read other perspectives here. Heroes. We all have them. What makes a hero? Courage, grit, boldness, an unquenchable spirit, and a willingness to stand alone for truth and justice are among some of the ways heroes are described. Some heroes are immensely personal –parents, dear friends, teachers, coaches, bosses; while other heroes are adored for their deeds that have had a broader impact on humanity. 2014 was no stranger to drama on the world’s... Read more
During this time of year, people tend to be more cheerful, more grateful, more generous, and more aware of precious time spent with loved ones. During the week of Thanksgiving, people often pause to list the things they are thankful for. While I am glad that people recognize this time of thanksgiving, for most, it is a flippant rattling off of a list typically composed of “Family, shelter, food, friends, a job, safety, etc.” Please don’t get me wrong, I... Read more
This past Sunday, I celebrated my one year anniversary of being a member at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. Capitol Hill Baptist Church is unlike any I’ve ever been a part of, and as I’ve spent time reflecting upon this past year at the church, the only word I can think of is “thankful“. Thankful to be a member at a healthy and dynamic church, thankful to be surrounded with such a sweet community, thankful to sit under... Read more
“All heroes are shadows of Christ” – John Piper As I reflect upon Veterans Day and the over 20 million veterans that have served and sacrificed for our incredible country, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude at the incredible freedom I experience as an American. While our religious liberties in America are being slowly eroded, the freedom we experience is unlike any other nation in the world. I cannot begin to express my gratitude and thanks to all of the men and... Read more
Welcome to my first post from my new writing home – Patheos. I’m extremely honored to be writing for Patheos on a regular basis. My deepest desire and prayer is that every word written from this platform will push others to know and love Christ more, and will glorify my Father. How better to commence my time on Patheos than to expound upon the title of my blog. Joy Indestructible The concept of “Joy Indestructible” came from a prayer from one... Read more
Joy Indestructible
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