I’ve recently been reviewing Paul David Tripp’s book Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change and was challenged by his words regarding confrontation. Typically when we hear the word rebuke or confrontation we immediately think of something negative or possibly…
Tim Chester and Steve Timmis in Everyday Church: Gospel Communities on Mission give five principles of community-based, gospel-centered, mutual pastoral care that are very helpful in answering the question, “what does everyday pastoral care look like.” And just as a preface they contend that “pastoral care is not the sole responsibility of pastors anymore than evangelism…
Discipleship happens as we teach and call people to follow us as we follow Jesus.
I’m almost finished with Tim Chester’s book You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions and this morning I read through Chapter Seven – What Stops You From Changing? There’s a goldmine of truth Chester unpacks for the reader in this chapter alone but I wanted to pass on his…
This is not an exhaustive “what to do” when struggling with depression but I found these thoughts helpful and hopefully you or someone else you know will as well. Many times the tape in our head says… You can never be forgiven. God doesn’t love you. You’re not good enough and you never will. Jesus…
I’m about to finish Paul David Tripp’s book Dangerous Calling and his chapter on self-glory alone is worth buying the book. Regarding self-glory he says, “Perhaps in ministry there is no more potent intoxicant than the praise of men, and there is no more dangerous form of drunkenness than to be drunk with your own…
In preparation for a class on “Marriage and Family” in January I’m reading several books, one of which is the “Excellent Wife” by Martha Peace. One chapter speaks to a wife’s fight against anxiety or fear and it goes without saying but Martha’s words need not be relegated to women exclusively; men struggle with fear…
I subscribe to Covenant Eyes, which is an accountability and filtering software that you can download on virtually anything (phone, laptop, iPad, etc.) and recently I was made aware of an additional resource that they offer on their website. The resource is an e-book that they offer for free. If you’re someone who is struggling…
How do you walk in victory over against being consumed with bitterness? In “Unpacking Forgiveness: Biblical Answers for Complex Questions and Deep Wounds” Chris Brauns gives four ways a believer can defeat bitterness. First, trust God’s justice and providence (155). All of us at different times in our lives are treated unfairly; that’s part-and-parcel of…
I’m currently reading a book entitled “Unpacking Forgiveness: biblical answers for complex questions and deep wounds” and thus far I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Forgiveness in some form or fashion is at the root of every relational problem. Thus, it’s appropriate to share a definition that I believe is spot-on. Forgiveness is a commitment by the…
Theology Along the Way 