A friend asked me, “What would be some of the characteristics of the life of a person who is bearing their cross? (Matthew 16) What does this cross-bearer look like?” It got me thinking. If you follow me on Facebook, I’d love to hear some of your thoughts in the comments. Here are some of mine: Single-minded devotion to the Lord, focus on the calling to follow Him above all else. Jesus first, others second, self last. Lack of self-indulgence and... Read more
Despite their emphasis on choice, the pro-choice movement leaves many women feeling that they have no choice but abortion. Abortion is constantly portrayed as the preferred choice. After all, a woman facing an unplanned pregnancy wonders, what’s the alternative? Raise a child she seemingly can’t afford, and who will disrupt her life choices like going to school and pursuing a career? Or experience the heartbreak of giving up a child for adoption? But “abortion or misery” is a binary trap... Read more
It’s become increasingly popular for people to share their “de-conversion stories,” talking about how they moved from belief in Christ and the Bible to a design-it-yourself type of spirituality, or even out right atheism. Deconstructed faith stories are the new normal. We all know people who once seemed to be solid Christians but have walked away. Alisa Childers’s story of her own reconstructed faith is a breath of fresh air. She shares her doubts and struggles and the journey God... Read more
In this blog, our goal is to provide biblically relevant information and resources to examine related to the COVID-19 vaccines. Because of the long history of fetal tissue research that I believe is entirely unethical, I approach this subject with great seriousness. Earlier in the fall some prolife groups warned that the then upcoming COVID vaccines, at least some of them, would use tissue derived from at least one aborted child. However, some of these reports also claimed that the... Read more
Many Christians and even some pastors have told me, “It’s cruel to bring up the subject of abortion.” But by talking about abortion in our churches—with grace and truth—we will prevent abortions and offer forgiveness and healing to women and men who are suffering in silence. Isn’t that an act of kindness both to unborn children and their parents? Because it will potentially make some people feel bad, would we therefore not talk about adultery, lying, stealing, or the need... Read more
Years ago, knowing our children were coming, Nanci and I prepared a place for them. We chose the room, picked out the right wallpaper, decorated and set up the crib just so, selected the perfect blankets. The quality of the place we prepared for our daughters was limited only by our skills and resources and imaginations. Since our Lord isn’t limited in any of those categories, and since He loves us even more than we love our children, what kind... Read more
I’ve been reflecting on leaving the year 2020 and entering a 2021 where there is a lot of hope (and I’m glad for that!) but no guarantee that many of our challenging circumstances will improve. I’ve seen much enthusiasm about getting past 2020, but I’m afraid not all of it is realistic. We cannot base our hope in the fact that the calendar year has been moved by one digit. The COVID vaccination will not be a cure-all. The financial... Read more
Studies show that depression and suicide rates are climbing due to COVID-19 and the disruption of normal life and social structures. More Americans are lonely than ever before, and even teens are at higher risk. Healthline reports, “Struggles with mental health issues or substance use were reported by nearly 41 percent of adults who responded to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey.” Even before 2020, overall suicide rates were on the rise, the CDC says. Christians certainly aren’t immune to depression and... Read more
I’ve been reflecting on Hebrews 2 and 4 lately, and what they tell us about the goodness of God in becoming one of us. Hebrews 2:17 says, “Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.” Jesus lived under the curse and was subject to human sufferings. He sympathizes with our weaknesses and became subject to them—including the exhaustion, the weariness, the... Read more
And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7) When you’re traveling late at night without reservations, nothing’s more discouraging than finding only “No Vacancy” signs. Jesus knew what it was like to have no vacancy in the inn. Human logic says the King of kings should have been born in a palace, surrounded by luxury. Instead,... Read more
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