By grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone
What is it you want for your kids? I hope its more than they turn out happy, successful, and come home for the holidays. A few weeks back in the blog “Have Some Kids,” I quoted Psalm 127:3-5. The passage that speaks of children being “arrows in the hand of a warrior” and blessed is […]
On April 25, 2020, six weeks into ceasing Sunday morning worship at the directive of our governor, I preached a sermon entitled, “Who Says We Can’t Meet During the Virus?” It was an exposition of Romans 13:1-7. In it we spoke of “sphere sovereignty,” the teaching from Scripture that God has ordained three major “governments”—the […]
“We believe that God has ordained various governments among men,” says our Statement of Faith. “The three basic governments are civil government, church government, and family government. All…working in individuals to bring about self-government.” If asked to summarize each of their responsibilities, how would you respond? C.S. Lewis answered this way regarding the civil government. […]
In Lewis’s “The Screwtape Letters”, the old and experienced demon Screwtape is mentoring his novice nephew, the demon Wormwood, on how to best secure the damnation of the young man assigned him by Satan. In one of his letters to his prodigy, Uncle Screwtape writes, “One of our great allies at present is the Church […]
Some cringe at the thought of opening up their home. Visions of cleaning up the strewed messes, making sure the toilet bowl sparkles, and fearing guests will see the couch stain has barred visitors from crossing your threshold for years. Plus, you do not have an open-concept home and there is no shiplap anywhere. How […]
My parents knew a Harry Butts; I knew an April Showers—really. What were you thinking Mr. and Mrs. Butts?—you, too, Mr. and Mrs. Showers? A few days ago in Slate.com, Joseph Norwood wrote an article entitled A Boy Named ‘Humiliation’: Some Wacky, Cruel, and Bizarre Puritan Names (September 13). Norwood doesn’t strike me as a […]
Parents pray for their children. Job models well: “Early in the morning he [Job] would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom” (Job 1:5). We don’t sacrifice lambs or bulls anymore; Jesus took care of that—but pleading […]
“Why do we do that?” That’s a question that should be asked—and asked often. Successful businesses ask it of themselves; wanting an efficient and streamlined operation. After a visit to the local DMV or post-office, I sometimes wonder if government agencies ask this question enough. Churches and families would do well to ask themselves the […]
Did you know obesity is more morally reprehensible than murder? It is in New York City. Two weeks ago, with the push from their mayor, the New York City Health Department banned the sale of sugared beverages (soda) larger than 16 oz. at restaurants, sporting events, and movie theaters. The mayor says they need the […]
When she came down the stairs for breakfast, I told her she’d kept me up all night. Claire quizzically looked at me. Our 18 year old daughter hadn’t done anything wrong. The home was at peace the night before; it was quiet through the night. I had risen around 2 a.m. to go to the […]
I was so excited to get my first check, after all, I didn’t even own a bed. Rent was $525. When you divide that by the other five (all of us buddies who had just graduated from Pacific Lutheran University) each share was just $87.50 per month. But when you were just starting out, every […]
Our governor has “flipped,” as they say in politics. I don’t think so, though. She’s a lame-duck so she’s probably just doing what she has wanted to do since she was first elected back in 2004. But what she says is that she’s taken a “personal journey” concerning the matter. I’d like a follow-up, “From […]