Most of us don’t like waiting. We are annoyed with lengthy checkout lines at the store, frustrated by long red lights, and (if you live in northern Indiana like me) depressed with the lingering of winter temperatures in the middle of April. But we especially don’t like waiting on God. Of all the commands of Scripture, perhaps this is one of the hardest to obey. But the times and seasons for waiting on the Lord are many and varied. Scripture teaches us to wait on the Lord for guidance (Psalms 25:5), deliverance (Psalms 33:20), answers to prayer (Psalms 38:15), strength (Isaiah 40:31), and fresh assurance of God’s pardon and forgiveness (Psalms 130:5). Of course, we want these things now. Our needs seem urgent. We want immediate answers. That’s why waiting is so hard. How to Wait Waiting on ...

In his wisdom, God has crafted a life for us that does not careen from huge, consequential moment to huge, consequential moment. In fact, if you examine your life, you will see that you have actually had few of those moments. You can probably name only two or three life-changing situations you have lived through. We are all the same; the character and quality of our life is forged in little moments. Every day we lay little bricks on the foundation of what our life will be. This is evident in our relationships; especially in marriage.  The bricks of words said, the bricks of actions taken, the bricks of little decisions, the bricks of little thoughts, and the bricks of small-moment desires all work together to form the functional edifice that is your marriage. So, you have to view your...

I’m preparing to interview the author of a book called Suburbianity (Harvest House, 2013). Byron Forrest Yawn is a Nashville-based pastor who has also written a helpful book for dads like me called What Every Man Wishes His Father Had Told Him. Byron’s writing style is vivid and engaging, so Suburbianity is an easy, enjoyable read. The book is also saturated with Scripture. (*Note to Harvest House: how about including a Scripture index in future editions?) Byron powerfully addresses the concern that the ideals and values of suburbia have affected Christians in America far too deeply. He calls us to turn away from our instinctive belief that the primary aim of Christ‘s death was to bring us a comfortable, materially fulfilled life. In short, we need to fall at Je...

About Manhood and Womanhood God has much to say about manhood and womanhood in the Bible. Discover what it means to be a Christian father. Learn all about masculinity. Discover who God is as our heavenly Father. Listen to teachings about the traits of a Godly spouse. Hear the blueprint for femininity. Hear Biblical scholars discuss the tough issues faced in today’s culture. See the opinions of pastors and spiritual leaders on this important topic.

What is Scripture? All religious traditions that ground themselves in texts must grapple with certain questions. In worship services and public and private readings, Christians often turn to Scripture for guidance: to the stories of Abraham or Moses to the Psalms to the prophecies of Isaiah to the life of Jesus to the letters of Paul to the vision of John Therefore, Christians must confront their own set of questions. What is Scripture? Is it divine? Human? Both? Is Scripture authoritative? If so, how and for whom? What is the scope of its authority? Is Scripture inspired by God? How should Scripture be used? How do Scripture and tradition relate? What does it mean for a Christian to call the Bible “the Word of God”? And if Jesus is also called the Word of God, how does Jesus as the Word o...

“He has not left himself without testimony.” (Acts 14:17) GOD AND FAIRIES Belief in God. Sigmund Freud called it a childish fantasy. Bertrand Russell compared it with believing that a celestial teapot was orbiting the earth. Richard Dawkins is fond to say that there are many things he disbelieves: woodland fairies, fire-breathing dragons, and Flying Spaghetti Monsters. God is just one more imaginary being he adds to the list. Instead of tackling time-tested theological arguments for God, atheist popularizers dismiss Him to the realm of elves, trolls, and the Easter Bunny. It’s an evasive maneuver that plays well to those inclined to disbelief. Russell’s teapot and Santa’s elves are on the long list of things that lack objective evidence, but cannot be emphatic...

Influence. It’s a funny thing. It’s inescapable–someone will always be perceived to have it or not have it, to either use or misuse it. We complain about it, but we also want to be influenced. Very few people are thorough-going “Lone Rangers” about anything. We see the utility of influence. We want someone to point us on a good course, to help us over a hurdle, and to set a model for us. Influence is how you get some things done or prevent others. Who doesn’t want influence on certain policy issues or certain church initiatives or with our children and spouses? We live in a world where influence is traded, debated, manipulated, and fabricated. Some people look influential but they aren’t. Some people look insignificant but wield influence like a sword. Some name drop and talk abo...

There’s way too much Christian negativity surrounding technology. All we seem to think and read about are the dangers and difficulties of the digital revolution. But how about some balance? How about recognizing and appreciating the amazing technological gifts that God has blessed our generation with? I recently linked to How Technology Made me a Better Mom, and I thought, “Why don’t Christians write pieces like this?” Then, “Why don’t I write a piece like this?” So here goes with “How technology made me a better Christian.” Affordable resources I would not have half the books I have without the advent of Logos, Ages Software, eBooks, Kindle Daily Deals, etc. How impoverished my life and ministry would be without these resources! Then add all the blogs, websites, online serm...

God wrote the 10 Commandments on stone tablets and gave them Moses to share with all the Israelites soon after they left captivity in Egypt (Exodus 20:1-26). Moses reiterated them 40 years later in Deuteronomy 5:1-22 as the Israelites neared the Promised Land. Though God wrote the 10 Commandments thousands of years ago, they still influence our society today. Modern Significance of the 10 Commandments The law given to Moses provided the foundation for a new Israelite society, they provided the foundation of personal and property rights found our modern legal system. Jewish tradition holds that all 613 laws found in the Torah are summed up in the 10 Commandments. Though Christians do not believe fulfilling the law is required for salvation, they still view the 10 Commandments as the foundat...