Author: S&P
Matthew Warren’s Suicide and God’s Grace
The announced sermon for yesterday’s services at Saddleback Church was titled “Surviving Tough Times.” It was a theme Pastor Rick Warren planned earlier in the week. He had no way to know how appropriate his subject would be. Rick and Kay Warren’s youngest child took his own life last Friday morning. Matthew Warren was “an incredibly kind, gentle and compass...
Are You Under the Illusion of Control?
One day several years ago, I was wasting too much time on Facebook and took one of those silly psychological profile tests called “Which Cartoon Character Are You?” Cartoon characters are evidently great stereotypes for the different kinds of temperaments and personalities. So, I took the test. I wish I hadn’t. Because guess which cartoon character I am? Not the lovable Mickey Mouse. Not th...
The Family Is in Crisis: Be Part of the Solution
Writing a generation ago, sociologist Christopher Lasch pointed to the weakening of the family as the most significant and dangerous development of our times. In his book, Haven in a Heartless World, Lasch described the breakdown of the natural family as a calamity for the society at large, as well as for the individuals whose lives are so directly affected. Tellingly, he also wrote this: “The fir...
When You Sense Your Church Is Dying
One of the most wonderful experiences believers can share is being part of a strong, growing church. What a joy it is to share in a congregation that has unity, love, holiness, a sense of the Spirit in worship, Christ-centered preaching, God-fearing leaders, members of all age groups and ministries towards all members, and a passion for reaching the lost. In contrast, it is burdensome to be...
Experience God in the Psalms
Editor’s Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Matthew Jacoby’s upcoming book, Deeper Places: Experiencing God in the Psalms, (Baker Books, 2013). When you want to deepen your relationship with God, you need to move beyond simply knowing about Him and seek personal encounters with Him. The Bible’s Psalms can help you do that. The Psalms are full of honest exp...
All Is Grace: A Tribute to Brennan Manning
Brennan Manning died Friday night. Long before the recent resurgence of interest in “gospel-centrality”, Brennan was a voice calling out in the wilderness – a voice reminding us that we are great sinners but God is a greater Savior. Theologically quirky and personally idiosyncratic, he was nevertheless a broken man on a passionate mission to remind Christians of the truth that while our sin reache...
A Pastoral Word on the Boston Marathon Bombings
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 I am deeply grieved by the early reports of two blasts occurring at the finish line of the boston marathon. There is a growing number of fatalities and dozens severely injured. Sadly, in a split second, people and families have been shattered and forever changed by this terrible tragedy. Pray in Hope The most p...
Turning a Blind Eye to Evil
Criticizing the media for bias when it comes to coverage of religious and cultural issues is, sadly, all too easy. There are so many examples to choose from. Just this past weekend, after weeks of blogs, tweets, and other online commentaries charging media bias, the mainstream media has been forced to talk — however reluctantly — about Kermit Gosnell’s murder trial. Last month, Gosnell, a Pennsylv...
Is Religion to Blame for Terrorist Attacks?
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Preach the Gospel in Word and Deed (St. Francis)
This won’t come as a shock, but there seems to be precious little tolerance for the views and opinions of Christians in public schools lately. Here are just three examples of the escalating tension involving the expression of faith within educational circles: 1. Christian student groups are being told they can’t require their own club leaders to share their biblical beliefs. 2. An esteemed un...
What Does Jesus’ Resurrection Have to Do with Me?
The cross is God’s gracious response to our own sinful and willful irresponsibility, choices, and actions. We sin. We are perpetrators of evil—and this separates us from God. It is this aspect of sin that has been dealt with by the vicarious sacrifice of the atonement. But we are also victims of sin. We have enemies who harm us. We are victims who have been sinned against in numerous ways. Because...
If Jesus Paid It All, Why Do Anything?
For many Americans of a certain age, the college admissions process is an oppressive and extraordinarily stressful area of life. It is performancism writ very, very large. One’s entire worth and value as a person is boiled down to a short transcript and application, which is then judged according to a stringent and ever-escalating set of standards. High-school seniors are called upon to justify th...
