I was not raised in a godly home. Church attendance was not something we did. But when I was 12, my family attended church for Easter. Afterward, I remember my mom asking my sister and me if we liked our time at church and if we wanted to return. We both said yes. That summerContinue reading “When a Pastor Baptizes His Own Wife”
Category Archives: salvation
You Need a Mediator
In Hebrews, the author talks about the mediator as a priest because in the language of Scripture, that is what a priest did on behalf of the people. The author of Hebrews develops that and points out that as the mediator, Jesus is the perfect priest. In addition, not only is Jesus the perfect priest,Continue reading “You Need a Mediator”
Imprinting with God
(As we reflect on the baptism of our Savior, we understand that God was doing more than setting an example. The author gives us a new take on the power and the place of our baptism in imprinting God in our hearts. Worth a read.) I shall never forget the scene. With a mug ofContinue reading “Imprinting with God”
Get Off the Cruise Ship and into the Rescue Boat
When describing the difficulty in creating a more thoughtful version of Christianity in America, I sometimes describe the Church as a large ocean liner. If we, as Christian Case Makers, hope to have a significant impact on what appears to be a sometimes uninformed (or apathetic) Christian culture, we must turn this large ship oneContinue reading “Get Off the Cruise Ship and into the Rescue Boat”
Saving Your Children
As a young mother and new believer, I might have claimed Proverbs 22:6 as my life verse: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Parroting the unhelpful parenting literature I consumed in excess, I declared to patient friends: “This is a promise.” IContinue reading “Saving Your Children”
In My World, Christianity Is Seen as a Threat
Growing up in India, I never imagined I would end up following Jesus Christ. I belong to the Adi tribe, one of the indigenous tribes in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, located in the remote, far northeast part of the country. Members of my family practiced a traditional animistic religion that was popular in ourContinue reading “In My World, Christianity Is Seen as a Threat”
Never Give Up on Them
Is there any hope if someone imitates the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24), wanders away from God and the Church, and lives it up in various sins season after season? Would you reply “no” to this question? If that’s what you and I think, we’ll likely never pray, let alone pray with hope, for our waywardContinue reading “Never Give Up on Them”
He Should Know
Jesus’ mission from God our Father was to bring forgiveness to the world. On the cross, Jesus accomplished the mission. Hanging on the cross, he was mocked by the religious leaders and the Roman soldiers.They gambled to see who would get his clothes. His Holy attitude was they didn’t know what they were doing byContinue reading “He Should Know”
A Hebrew Look at Heaven
The book of Hebrews presents Christ’s offering and intercession as two central features of his priestly work. Although some interpreters locate the offering of Christ solely at the cross, Hebrews suggests that Christ, like the high priest on the Day of Atonement, presents his offering after entering the Holy of Holies — in this case,Continue reading “A Hebrew Look at Heaven”
Do the Math
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18 After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Pet. 5:10-11 Heavenly Father, thank youContinue reading “Do the Math”
