The God who lives in unapproachable light became approachable in the person of Jesus (John 1:14). In fact, it was Jesus Himself who made God visible to us: “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known” (John 1:18). Consider the dialogue between Philip and Jesus in John 14:8-9: Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for... Read more
One of the best-known photographs from the Vietnam War is a Pulitzer Prize–winning picture of a young burn victim running in terror, arms outstretched, after a napalm bomb was dropped on her village. After months of hospitalization and multiple surgeries, nine-year-old Phan Thi Kim Phuc returned to her family. What doctors couldn’t heal, Kim Phuc says, was her heart: “The anger inside me was like a hatred high as a mountain.” But God reached out to Kim Phuc. She found... Read more
Note from Randy: This month marks 30 years since Nanci and I started Eternal Perspective Ministries. (You can read the story behind its beginning here.) When we think about what God has done in the last three decades through this ministry, we’re grateful and humbled. We never could have envisioned its far-reaching impact. The kingdom outreach of the books is far beyond anything we anticipated. Then there’s the royalty money distributed to God’s kingdom as a result of the book sales! “Now... Read more
Ten years ago I wrote a article on grammar and word usage in response to a letter I received from a reader. (No doubt you all remember it well! ????) This isn’t a rehash of that old article, but for those who love reading, as I do, I want to address, in a mostly lighthearted way, some current issues of language and wording. Language is dynamic, not static. It’s always changing, and that’s why applying old rules to contemporary writing sometimes just... Read more
Over the years, I’ve talked to many parents who experience guilt over the struggles of their grown kids. The following are some thoughts I’ve shared from time to time, including with friends who have grown children who aren’t following Christ and making wise decisions. On this issue, I find great insight and comfort in Isaiah 5:1-7. Here’s the full text: 1 Now I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on... Read more
A while ago I shared a great article by Ray Ortlund about how God will use time and trials to accomplish His purpose for you. Ray writes, Only men with scars can preach a Savior with scars to sinners with scars. So, in addition to the many insights and skills God will impart to you, he also will wound you. A.W. Tozer wisely said, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.” At some... Read more
If we don’t think strategically about parenting, then we’ve made a statement: our children aren’t important, or parenting comes so naturally that it happens without our attention. My advice is to get more involved in your teenagers’ lives, and be more alert to youth culture. Understanding that culture allows you to recognize the temptations, challenges, and opportunities your children face. Too often youth pastors get the blame for students whose parents expect the church to “fix” their kids. Unfortunately, speaking... Read more
Thirty years ago I spent many hours in a Portland library reading and photocopying article after article in years of original issues of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger’s Birth Control Review. I was shocked at the blatant racism I found there, and her chilling proposal of eugenics to eliminate the “human weeds” of what she called inferior (non-white) races. I wrote about my findings in the first edition of my book ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments, shared them in articles on our... Read more
What’s our greatest source of joy? Paul pointed to the Holy Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Commenting on chara, the Greek Word usually rendered “joy” in this passage, the United Bible Societies’ translation handbook advises, “In some languages joy is essentially equivalent to ‘causes people to be very happy.’ In order to indicate that this joy is not merely some passing experience, one may say ‘to be truly happy... Read more
Two weeks ago, J. I. Packer, one of my favorite writers and favorite people, went to be with Jesus just five days short of his 94th birthday. I will always love that man. He had a huge impact on me, particularly through his books Knowing God and The Quest for Godliness. (Here’s a terrific biography from Justin Taylor, and a touching audio tribute to Packer from John Piper and Tony Reinke.) Four and half years ago Ivan Mesa shared an interview with Packer, who was losing his... Read more
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