The Sword and the Blog
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Confessions of a Church: Shadow Men
Think for a moment about the impact a shadow has on the world around it. It is weightless and without substance. A shadow takes the shape of the thing which is between it and the source of light. A shadow is immaterial, cannot be felt, grasped and has no discernible impact on the physical world.
Now consider man. What would it look like for a man to live out his life as a shadow?
Confessions of a Church: Rejoicing in Labor
One can see how easy it is to find enjoyment in food, or drink perhaps. Just last night I enjoyed a delicious steak and treated myself to a soda.
But labor? We are supposed to find joy in labor?
How does one find joy in slinging 10,000 bags of ice in a day?
How does one find joy in the hard work of disciplining their children?
How does a young mother find joy in 1:00am feedings and screaming children?
How does a son find joy in the duties and chores given to him by his father?
Christian Beauty and Symbolism
What does IHS mean and what does the Bible say about Beauty?
A Theology of Wine
Alcohol is one element of God’s wonderful creation that is imbued with meaning throughout the scripture. Wine, being one of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, is especially rich with symbolism that depicts “heavenly realities” giving an “incomprehensible depth and beauty”[iii] to life. The interesting thing with alcohol as a sign and a symbol is that it has two sides to it. The very same substance is both a sign of God’s immense blessing and His terrifying fury. Abundance of alcohol can portend of good things or forewarn of destruction. It is either a gift or a curse. Thus, the cup is something to behold with joyous wonder and fearful reverence.
Benefits of Being a Covenant Child
What benefit is it to be baptized as a baby or what benefit is it to be a kid raised in a Christian home? Is there a benefit in being a part of the covenant community? And the answer is yes. Here is a partial list of the benefits given to covenant children
Confessions of a Church:Guard Your Steps
Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.
Having an indifferent, apathetic, cold, uncaring heart is a danger for you young people who have grown up within the Church since your youth.
Doubting Towards Jesus
The question is not whether you will have moments of weakness but what you do with those moments. There are two things you can do with doubt.
Confessions of a Church: Two are Better
The principle which we find in the text today, "two are better than one", can be seen scrawled across every culture, present in every human endeavor, and is undeniably a reality etched into the fabric of God's design for man.
How to Follow Your Husband
How to Lead Your Wife Through Changes
Whatever the change, you know it needs to be done.
But you also know that this requires leading your wife through these changes. You would be a fool to think you can just come home and plop down an order from on high without someone kind of strategy to do so.
So what do you do? How do you lead a wife through changes?
Here are ten points of strategy for you to consider:
Five Memories for the Lord’s Day
Now just like a child practicing for a test, repetition is needed to develop a good memory. God has ordained repetition for His Church, a weekly reminder for His children. The Lord’s day is designed to build the gospel memory.
When we gather on the Lord’s day with God’s people we are invited to remember . Here are five memories the Lord’s day is designed to bring to mind.
Confessions of a Church: Depression and Unbelief
Dear brothers and sisters walking in unbelief, you must repent of your unbelief. Unbelief isn't a condition where you are just so oppressed, so weary, so distraught, that you are physically and emotionally unable to come near to Christ, and if you could just muster up a little belief, He would then rescue you from the darkness. This thought makes God a liar, as if He needs you to do anything to save your soul from the pit.
The Marriage Bed Part 3
The ways of dishonoring marriage are endless as are the ways of defiling the marriage bed. But here are six stains in particular that must be guarded against.
The Marriage Bed Part 2
All Christians, both those who are married and those who are not, are required to hold marriage in honor and to keep the marriage bed undefiled.
The two sins mentioned that defile the marriage bed are of two categories. The first, fornication, is sin committed prior to or outside of marriage. The second occurs inside marriage.
This means those not married may defile the marriage bed just as those who are married. God will judge both.
The Marriage Bed Part 1
Some traditions have called marriage a sacrament. While we must not blur the distinction between the two sacraments (Baptism and the Lord's Supper) ordained by Christ for His Church and natural institutions ordained by God, we can agree that marriage was designed to be a glorious picture of the gospel. The union of man and woman symbolizes the union of Christ with His Church. Marriage is also a means that God often uses to grow his people in holiness. Therefore, marriage is esteemed highly by God's people.
Confessions of a Church: Wickedness in the Place of Justice
Want to go to war with Marxists and sexual revolutionists? Be a faithful husband and father.
Why use the word Sodomy
Notice that the reason for the new word is to provide a neutral term that softens the blow of pejoratives like “sodomy.” Now why is “sodomy” a pejorative? Because it shows the end result of the act. If we are completely honest, the reason people don’t like the word is precisely why we should be using it. They don’t like the fact that it contains within it the idea of God’s judgment. Everyone knows what happened to Sodom because of their abominable and perverse acts. That is why they hate the word and consider it a pejorative. It has the sting of shame and judgment right within the word. The two things our sinful nature hates more than anything is shame and judgment. Yet both shame and judgment are the precise thing that those tempted to this sin need to hear about it.
Confessions of a Church: Not in Vain
"Duty is ours, consequences are God's"
Men, fathers, you have a duty before God to work hard, make wise decisions, love your wives and children, and lead your home. As you do these things with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you labor not in vain.
Men, as you toil at work and as you discipline and train your children by faith, the Father from whom all Fatherhood gets its name will not fail you. His promises are not slack.
General Promises for Parents
Improving Baptism
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