In today’s relativistic, postmodern world, one word can stop an ambassador for Christ in his tracks: “tolerance.” No judgments allowed. No “forcing” personal opinions. All views are equally valid. Once, in a discussion with a class of Christian high school seniors, I wrote two sentences on the board. The first—“All views are equally valid”—expressed theContinue reading “The Trick of Tolerance”
Category Archives: Community
Weep for Them
The grand object of the Christian ministry is the glory of God. Whether souls are converted or not, if Jesus Christ be faithfully preached, the minister has not labored in vain, for he is a sweet savor unto God as well in them that perish as in them that are saved. Yet, as a rule,Continue reading “Weep for Them”
An Open Letter to Graduating High School Students
Dear Graduating High School Seniors, Some of you have heard hundreds of sermons over the years—many of them at church, and for some of you, one sermon a week for the past dozen years in your Christian school.1 This is a season of milestones for many of you. Final papers and final exams. Last games,Continue reading “An Open Letter to Graduating High School Students”
Put Them to Work Serving
One of the best ways to combat disengagement is to have a well-developed plan to equip young adults to serve in ministry in the church. Many churches vocalize frustrations that few young adults participate and serve in the life of their church. But, if you’re not willing to train and place young adults in significantContinue reading “Put Them to Work Serving”
Another Monarch Story
King William IV unexpectedly became monarch of the UK, Ireland, and Hanover in 1830. With two older brothers he had not anticipated ascending to the throne. When they both died William was shouldered with the burden of leadership he had hitherto evaded. Instead of the requisite stately life of a public figure, he had enjoyedContinue reading “Another Monarch Story”
School Choice
Before we had kids, my husband and I assumed our children would go to public schools just as we had. In the places we grew up, nearly everyone—even in our churches—went to public school. But by the time our oldest son was nearing kindergarten, how to educate your children had become a hot topic inContinue reading “School Choice”
Debts Not Forgiven
When my husband and I wanted to buy our first house in 2012, we ran into a problem: Neither of us had a credit history. We both came from families with a typical evangelical wariness of debt, and so we’d gotten all the way through college and marriage without a single loan payment between us.Continue reading “Debts Not Forgiven”
How Men Strengthen Men
Remember that old beer commercial? A father and son are fishing on a pier in a stereotypical guy situation. On the verge of tears, the grown son pronounces to the father, “Dad, you’re my dad, and I love you, man.” It’s super awkward, until Dad gives the punchline: “Johnny, you can’t have my beer.” ItContinue reading “How Men Strengthen Men”
A World Gone Crazy
I agree about the greatness of God; I’m not sure about the beer (I think it’s an acquired taste), but he’s right about people. People really are crazy, and that includes you, me, and everybody else. That is part of what Paul meant in Romans 7:15, “For I do not understand my own actions. ForContinue reading “A World Gone Crazy”
Keep the First Thing First
A recent Love Thy Neighborhoodpodcast detailed how fake news spreads in the church. They told a story from the 2016 election as a case study. On November 5, 2016, just three days before the presidential election, the Denver Guardian ran this headline: “FBI Agent Suspected in Hillary Email Leaks Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide.” TheContinue reading “Keep the First Thing First”
Intentional Faith 