We probably all know someone who has a tendency to speak up and lash out with very little provocation. And we probably try to avoid that person as much as possible. But is it possible that we might—at least on occasion—be that very person? Is it possible that we might be slow to hear and…
Interview on Pith and Piety
There’s a cool new podcast here in Greater Lafayette, and I’ve really enjoyed listening to the first few episodes that have gone out. It’s called Pith and Piety, and it explores Christian topics of interest to the community from an ecumenical point of view. Matt, Matt, and Ryan have a great chemistry, and it makes their banter…
Looks Can Be Deceiving (Jas. 1:9-18)
It’s easy to think you have things figured out, only to discover you misread the signs and drew the wrong conclusions. This can happen in any situation, but in the midst of a difficult season in life, the capacity to be deceived is heightened. Suffering and pain warp our judgment, and we end up with…
Productive Trials (Jas. 1:2-8)
Life is full of difficulties. Some are big, some are small. Some are completely unexpected, some are self-inflicted. Some are long-lasting, some are short-lived. But regardless of the type of difficulty, we all seem to have our fair share. And we probably don’t particularly like them. That’s exactly why we need to hear the radical…
A Call to Action (Jas. 1:1)
As we begin our study in the book of James, our first task is to get a sense of the book as a whole. Who wrote it? To whom was it written? What is the main message it is meant to convey? Answering these questions will help us see the big picture of James, setting…
Jesus Died to Defeat Death (Heb. 2:9, 14-15)
We have one universal enemy: Death. And yet in the most astounding reversal in all of human history, Jesus suffered the sting of death, only to rise again and prove himself to be the conqueror of this enemy that has enslaved us and kept us in bondage through fear. The resurrection brings us the startlingly…
Showers and Flowers
Here in Lafayette, the month of April has had a soggy start. In fact, as I write this, the rainfall over the last few days has resulted in a flood warning for our area. Personally, I’m kind of sick of the rain. It’s making me grumpy. But there’s an old adage that brings me hope….
Reforming the Abortion Debate
We can’t escape it. Whether it’s sparked by a fierce presidential campaign, by a highly publicized women’s march, by some newly proposed piece of legislation, or simply by an incendiary meme on Facebook, the abortion debate won’t go away. As much as we seem to talk about abortion, though, it’s incredible how little progress we’ve…
#MusicMonday: Drive-By Truckers, “What It Means”
Music has an uncanny ability to provide an escape from the worries and woes of the world. A good song can transport you. It can momentarily free you from the tyranny of your immediate surroundings. But music also has the ability to do just the opposite. It can drive us deeper into the messiness of reality…
On Spiritual Heroes
This year marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the door in Wittenberg. Back in 1517, that event may not have seemed all that significant. But in hindsight, it is that action which has come to be seen as the ceremonial beginning of the Protestant Reformation, arguably one of the most…
Jesus Died to Take Our Punishment (Rom. 5:9)
The justice of God is a wonderful thing to be celebrated – but only if we don’t have to be on the receiving end of it. The testimony of Scripture, however, is that we are on the receiving end of it, because we have sinned grievously against a holy God. We deserve his wrath. This…
#MusicMonday: Jamestown Revival, “Poor Man’s Gold”
I’ve been on a serious Jamestown Revival kick today. I first encountered their music a couple years ago through their catchy song, “California (Cast Iron Soul).” Since then, they’ve released a new album, The Education of a Wandering Man, and on it is this soulful little stomp about a conversation between a rich man and a preacher. This stripped-down…
