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When I Pray for My Kids
When I pray for my kids, I pray not only for God to save them from their sins, but for God to save them from my own. As their father, my influence carries more weight in their lives than anyone else’s—that is, perhaps, besides mom’s, of course. Nevertheless, as their father, how I interact with my kids will shape how they perceive and respond to the Fatherhood of God.
read moreA Brief Post on Charlottesville
A Christian’s response to the demonstrations in Charlottesville needs no nuance. So, I’ll be brief. As one who embraces the gospel of Jesus Christ and serves as a pastor of The Hallows Church, I believe that the demonstrations currently taking place in Charlottesville grieve God and arouse His righteous indignation.
read moreThree Reasons We Complain and Help to Avoid Doing So
Grumbling and complaining cast shade on the brightness of the gospel in our lives. Such an attitude discloses a lack of humility and trust in the sovereign grace and goodness of God. Moreover, grumbling and complaining hinder us from living into our identity as children of God and from executing effectively our ability to shine as lights in the world (Mt. 6:14-16; Jn.8:12).
read moreWhat a Gay Man’s Support for Muslim Immigrants Can Teach Jesus’s Followers
In the gospel, Jesus died to turn God’s enemies into His friends: “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son” (Romans 5:10). Jesus also commands us who benefit from His death and resurrection to go and love likewise.
read moreA Brief Word of Hope and Perspective in Light of the Election
On the Sunday before the election, I shared a message with The Hallows Church titled "The King We Need" from Mark 11:1-11. Below you will find a brief clip offering a word of hope and perspective for those who follow Christ in the aftermath of the 2016 Presidential...
read moreWhen a Church Loses Her Saltiness
Churches lose their saltiness when they lose their piquancy. Rather than providing a pleasantly sharp presence in the world, they become either pleasant or sharp. On one hand, a church may become so pleasant that she dulls any and every edge off her discipleship. Such a church may avoid saying or doing anything that may contradict the prevailing practices and priorities of the current spirit of the age. On the other hand, a church may become so sharp in her discipleship that she cuts anyone with whom she comes in contact.
read moreOwning Our Obedience for the Joy of the Other
Jesus insists that we assume an other-oriented posture. We want joy and glory for others, not simply for ourselves. When that motivating desire takes root in our hearts, we become willing to take risks, make sacrifices, and do whatever it takes to fulfill the Great Commission (Mt. 28:16-20).
read moreA Compassionate Revolution of Word and Wonder
Jesus ignited a compassionate revolution of word and wonder—the torch of which He empowers His disciples to carry forward towards the consummation of the kingdom of God. In Mark 6:34, upon the seeing a great crowd, Jesus “had compassion on them because they were like...
read moreIgniting a Gospel Revolution
A revolution is commonly viewed as an attempt to overthrow an unjust and oppressive system. Many times revolutions are ignited by acts of violence perpetrated by those seeking power or liberation. Jesus ignited a revolution unlike any other catalogued in the...
read moreCelebrating Independence by Declaring Dependence
Today our country celebrates Independence Day. We commemorate one of the fundamental values of the United States of America. I am a citizen of the U.S.A and for that I thank our sovereign God who determines "the boundaries of [our] dwelling place” (Acts 17:26). More...
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