In the book “The Simplest Way to Change the World” five common reasons are provided to help explain why we may struggle to have others into our homes. These reasons provide a simple way for us to examine our hearts about what may be preventing us from using our homes as tools for the Lord.1. “My house is a wreck.” We often fear what others will think of us if the level of cleanliness or orderlines...  Read More

 In preaching from Psalm 84 recently Tim Thomassian referenced the “Sons of Korah.” These temple attendants from the Old Testament might seem to merely be a “behind the scenes” group of second-level importance compared to priests or prophets or kings. In reality, however, they were highly vital in helping the rest of God’s people to worship the Lord.Last month, for the first time in over two years...  Read More

Several days ago, I read a devotion in New Morning Mercies written by Paul Tripp that describes our walk with God as a “community project” and thought how true! If I try and make it on my own, I’m often deceived when I justify wrong attitudes and actions, but others in my life can reveal to me what I often can’t see myself. Physical blindness is obvious to those who are blind, but spiritual blindn...  Read More

 I recently read the memoirs of Major Dick Winters, who is best known for commanding the Easy Company of paratroopers during World War II. After demonstrating stellar leadership of the company, Winters was promoted to a higher rank, which meant he had to leave the day-in, day-out life among the men he had fought beside through thick and thin. His comment on having to leave them gripped me:“Leaving...  Read More

For years now I have been helped in the area of lust through the use of an acronym created by John Piper: ANTHEM. Below I will summarize each letter as a different step in the process of resisting the temptation to lust:A: AVOID – this is the idea behind the biblical injunction to “flee sexual immorality.” It stems from being honest about our vulnerabilities and taking active steps to stay far awa...  Read More

In preparing for my sermon on gluttony, I came across a very helpful picture for learning to approach food in a way that honors the Lord. In her book Glittering Vices Rebecca DeYoung discusses our military’s use of the MRE (“Meal Ready to Eat”) for troops in the field. These meals “include an entrée; crackers with cheese, peanut butter, or jelly; a dessert or snack; a dry-mix packet of cider, coff...  Read More