Recently I shared this story on my Facebook: I took a road I normally don’t and was stuck at a long red light. A woman called, “Got change for a dollar?” I gave her money and one of my little books about Heaven, which includes the Gospel. She said, “Cool” and thanked me. Had I driven a different street, we wouldn’t have met. This was a divine appointment. I don’t know whether she read the book, or whether it will end... Read more
Many of you have watched the first two seasons of The Chosen, but if you haven’t yet, I highly encourage you to start! The first year was consistently excellent, and season two was just as good. I actually think The Chosen is better than any portrayal of Jesus I’ve ever seen—the presentation of Christ’s love, wit, humor, and delight with His disciples is amazing! In this clip from my message “No More Curse,” I talk about the show, and how we too will... Read more
In this excerpt from my novel Dominion¸ two characters discuss racial stereotypes about black people. If you’d like to explore more about racial unity, I highly recommend the resources of Tony Evans, many of which are available for free, including his booklet A Personal Challenge to Black and White Americans. Jake’s face turned serious. “So, since we’ve been talking about race, can I bring up something you and I almost never talked about when it happened?” Clarence studied him. “Now you’ve got me curious. What?”... Read more
“If an individual Christian does not show love toward other true Christians, the world has a right to judge that he or she is not a Christian.” —Francis Schaeffer I read Francis Schaeffer’s The Mark of the Christian shortly after it was published in 1970. Schaeffer quoted Christ’s words in John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Then he cited Jesus’s prayer in John 17:21 that the disciples “may... Read more
As a writer, I seek input from others on my writing and take it seriously. I hate having a book published and only then learning some of what I said was inaccurate, misleading, unfair, or confusing. Those who I invite to criticize my writing before it’s published thereby do me the greatest possible service. Among other things they help me have less to be held accountable for at the judgment seat of our gracious and holy King, who said to His disciples, “I tell... Read more
I’ve often heard it said in evangelical messages, books, and articles that God’s Word teaches three kinds of love—love for God, love for others, and love for self. The supposed proof is Matthew 22:39, where “Love your God with all your heart” is called the first and greatest commandment. Number two is its corollary: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Clearly, we are taught to love God above all and love our neighbor above all but God. So where does that leave... Read more
This has been another year of challenges related to Nanci’s cancer and treatments. However, paradoxically yet providentially, to us it has been a very good year. We are filled with thanksgiving. I asked Nanci to share some thoughts. She wrote, “We have felt the presence of God throughout this journey. His goodness and mercy have been seen in so many details along the way. He has filled our hearts with hope, not fear. Our trust in His sovereign plan is... Read more
Some of you have heard about “Giving Tuesday,” which this year is Tuesday, November 30. It’s a response to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and is designed to provide people with a charitable day to consider giving as they go into the holiday season. (Learn more at www.givingtuesday.org.) I’m sharing this early so you and your family can consider how it might fit into your Christmas celebration this year. You can give to any ministry you choose. (In fact, we don’t turn... Read more
Recently, I was interviewed on The Thinking Out Loud Podcast with Kevin and Kyle. In our conversation, which centered around my book If God Is Good, we discussed evil and suffering, faith, healing, and much more. The last year and a half have been tough on many people in many ways, (including for us as Nanci battles cancer), so the subject of suffering feels especially pertinent right now. Here are the questions we covered. You can listen to the whole interview here, or you can... Read more
Of all the misconceptions we have about Heaven, which is the most destructive? That’s a difficult and important question to tackle. Once, while preaching about the New Earth, I cited passages about feasting together in our resurrection bodies. Afterward, a veteran Bible student asked if I really believed we would eat and drink in the afterlife. I told him yes, since Jesus said so. Visibly shaken, he replied, “Engaging in physical activities in heaven sounds terribly unspiritual.” Standing there with a... Read more
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