Borrowing Brains: A Question Concerning God’s Will

Here’s a good question that was submitted by Mark, a pastor-friend who is a frequent reader and occasional commenter:
I am continuing through a study of 1 Timothy and have reached chapter 2, which is turning out to be quite a challenge!
My struggle centers on verse 4 and the word “desires” (thelo). Many commentators seem to [...]

What I’m Reading: The Magician’s Nephew

My five ladies and I just finished reading aloud the first (or last) of the Chronicles of Narnia, The Magician’s Nephew. I’ve had a number of friends mention reading them aloud as a family, so I took up the idea in our house. The girls were thrilled; the end of each chapter was invariably met [...]

Utter Despair, Then Utter Triumph!

We who know the glories of Resurrection Sunday are prone to underestimate the utter despair that preceded it some 2000 years ago. As far as I can tell, while Christ’s lifeless body lay in the grave there wasn’t a single person on earth who anticipated his resurrection. As far as humanity was concerned, Christ’s life [...]

Covenant Life Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber? Why?!

Over the last few years, I have come to appreciate the spirit and focus of Sovereign Grace Ministries, and especially of Covenant Life Church in the DC area. I’ve appreciated several of the songs SG has produced and have enjoyed some helpful correspondence with CL’s music minister Bob Kauflin. Also, I’ve learned much from the [...]

The God Who Suffers: The Long Silence

The following anonymous short story is thought provoking, though I have serious reservations about it (which I will share after the story, lest I prejudice your read):
The Long Silence
At the end of time, billions of people were seated on a great plain before God’s throne. Most shrank back from the brilliant light before them. But [...]

Ohio State Beats Michigan…

…again.

That had to hurt.

NT Separation Texts Are Exemplary, Not Exhaustive

I agree with Bob Bixby’s recent post on the exemplary nature of 2 Thessalonians 3 and 1 Corinthians 5. Each of the passages calls for Christians to separate from other Christians who are perpetually disobedient, and each of them uses a specific instance of sin (disorderliness/laziness and immorality, respectively) to teach general principles regarding how [...]

Sound Words: Chief of Sinners? Absolutely.

The human heart is ridiculous and rebellious in its pride. I call our pride ridiculous because it is groundless—we have no reason to be arrogant. I call our pride rebellious because it is an attempt to steal glory from God, the very sin which caused Lucifer to be banished from heaven.
Because pride is a besetting [...]

Announcing the 8th Annual Passion Service

On Good Friday, March 21, 2008, believers from at least 9 fundamental churches in Northeast Ohio will meet at the 8th Annual Passion Service in remembrance of Christ’s death for sinners. The service is hosted by Tri-County Bible Church and has become a highlight on the calendars of churches in this area. It’s a rich [...]

Quick Hits (3/11/08)

Lots and lots of little bits to pass on, some of which is important. The first one? Not so much. But it’s funny.
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Timing Is Everything

I’ve driven for 20 years without getting a speeding ticket. Twenty years! Well, I picked a doozy of a time to get my first. The car? A borrowed Lexus. The passenger? [...]