Earth’s cramm’d wi’ heav’n And every bush and tree with fire of God; But only he who sees Takes off his shoes … Author unknown.* How can we look at the magnificence of this tree and not take off…
“It is idle to talk always of the alternative of faith and reason . . .”
G.K. Chesteron: It is idle to talk always of the alternative of reason and faith. Reason is itself a matter of faith. Quoted in Kelly Clark, Return to Reason, page 123.
Legislation Will Not Provide the Solution
Edward J. Young: It is useless to talk of men solving their own problems, as long as they are sinners, for in its very nature sin tends to divide men and to make them hate one another. . . the…
Christians need not be intellectually troubled that they can’t explain why God allows evil.
A theodicy is “a defense of God’s goodness and omnipotence in view of the existence of evil.” A theodicy speaks to the question, “If God is good and all-powerful, how do we explain the existence of evil.” So how do…
Sources of Authority
God willing, this morning my sermon will focus on the sources of authority we recognize in our lives. Of course, I will preach that God’s Word should be our only rule for life and conduct even as I encourage our…
We All Want to Be Written into the Story
My 3 year* old daughter Mary Beth loves to be written into the story. She likes traditional fairy tales a lot. But, she loves them even more when I invent a role for her in the story. So, I’ve been…
Frame on Why We are Sometimes “Contentiously Foolish”
Honorable people avoid strife. Foolish people are quick to quarrel. Proverbs 20:3 in four different translations: It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. ESV It is to a man’s…
Here’s to First Grade Sunday School Teachers – – May Their Tribe Increase
If you’re looking for the world’s greatest Sunday School teachers, they are teaching my little girl’s class at The Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, IL. My six year old, Mary Beth – who loves to get mail –- received…
Redeeming the Informant
A new movie features Matt Damon playing the story of Mark Whitacre, an employee of ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) who was a whisteblower on their price fixing while embezzling $9 million. Whitacre eventually went to prison. Many may not know…
What was the most strategic local church in history?
If you had to identify the most strategic local church in history, which church would you choose?