I first learned about John Mark Comer from This Cultural Moment, which was simply brilliant. I had not heard anyone talk about culture from a Christian perspective the way Comer and Mark Sayers did. It was smart, insightful, and down to earth. When I saw The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry being released by John Mark… Continue reading From Insightful to Concerning: Reassessing John Mark Comer’s Practicing the Way
Coveting Christmas
I just finished teaching through the Ten Commandments as our class studies the book of Exodus. Here we are at the holidays, and I was struck how the tenth commandment—you shall not covet—connects so easily with the modern holiday season. After all, in the U.S. we celebrate Thanksgiving on a Thursday and thank God for… Continue reading Coveting Christmas
Jesus’ Sacrificial Love: A Reflection on His Final Moments
The scene Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And… Continue reading Jesus’ Sacrificial Love: A Reflection on His Final Moments
Christmas Revelation: The Nativity in the Book of Revelation
Two Kingdoms When we think of the Christmas story, we rarely think of Revelation 12. Yet, the Christmas story is there, even though it is very different than the story we’re accustomed to. Revelation 12 makes it clear that Christmas is a story about two kingdoms. I love this from Andreas Kostenberger and Alexander Stewart’s… Continue reading Christmas Revelation: The Nativity in the Book of Revelation
Exploring Terms of Service by Chris Martin
The subtitle of Chris Martin’s Terms of Service is “The Real Cost of Social Media.” A lot of people know there’s something dark about social media—that it’s doing something to us. Yet, how many of us have really taken the time to determine what social media and that seemingly harmless habit is truly costing us… Continue reading Exploring Terms of Service by Chris Martin
The Joy of Hearing by Thomas Schreiner
We are coming out of a pandemic. Russia invaded Ukraine. I finished reading a book about the Book of Revelation. You can’t make it up. People often call the Book of Revelation the most difficult book in the Bible. For decades, people have anxiously read it side by side with a newspaper trying to decipher… Continue reading The Joy of Hearing by Thomas Schreiner
Wealth of Generosity
We have been walking through 2 Corinthians in our small group the last few months. This past week, we were in the first half of chapter 8 where Paul encourages the Corinthians to finish taking up the collection for the church in Jerusalem. Paul gives the Corinthians two examples of generosity and sacrificial giving: the… Continue reading Wealth of Generosity
Where the Light Fell by Philip Yancey
Years ago my mentor led a church book study on What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. I was struck by the concise, direct, but gentle writing. Yancey tackles difficult theological questions, particularly ones hurting people may struggle with. He takes difficult concepts and explains them in a practical way everyone can understand. I… Continue reading Where the Light Fell by Philip Yancey
Combating the Three Enemies of the Soul: Insights from John Mark Comer’s ‘Live No Lies’
Live No Lies by John Mark Comer will be one of my favorite books of 2021. I’m sure of that. I don’t know of anyone else currently writing with this much insight into the human condition, our culture, and how the gospel addresses the two. Live No Lies looks at the three enemies of the… Continue reading Combating the Three Enemies of the Soul: Insights from John Mark Comer’s ‘Live No Lies’
What God Has To Say About Our Bodies
Opinions regarding our bodies, gender, and sexuality dominate our headlines today. We’re told to love our bodies, but in the same breathe we’re told we should change them if we want. We should have a healthy body image, but the media tells us that there’s an epidemic of obesity. The confusion goes on and on.… Continue reading What God Has To Say About Our Bodies