Articles and Blogs

"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (Prov.13:20). "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals'" (1Cor.15:33). "Nothingperhapsaffects man's character more than the company he keeps. We catch the ways and tone of those we live and talk with, and unhappily get harm far moreeasily than good. Disease is infectious, ...

As Christ Redeemer Church seeks to advance the kingdom of God, we want ministry to youth (12-14) and young adults (15-19) to cultivate their Christian maturity. We want to think of them not as "adolescents" drifting into adulthood, but, rather, as "apprentices" learning and pursuing the trade of Christian adulthood from those who have gone before them in the home and in th...

Back in February, Tullian Tchividjian put up a couple posts on his regular blog over atThe Gospel Coalitionrelated to the downside ofa specific kindof accountability among Christians. Of course, we need accountability:"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God"(Heb.3:12)."Brothers, if anyone is...

It's important, I think, to be regularly reminded that the the Bible is not an instruction manual for life, or a flowchart for wise decision-making, or a guide for healthy relationships. It's helpful to be reminded because the drift into that thinking is natural for many of us without gentle re-direction. "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it." Many of us seem to be spring-loa...

Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts.3:19). Pretty straightforward, right? Repent and you're sins will be forgiven. Well, yes, it is simple, but not simplistic. Let me qualify... Our sins are not blotted out simply with the wave of a magic wand in God's hand and the words, "You're forgiven." It's notsimplythat God loves us andsimplys...

I read an article last week in theJournal of Family Ministrycalled "The Problem and The Promise of Family Ministry" [JFM 1.1 (2010): 36-43]. The article mentions three trends characterizing ministry to families over the past couple hundred years and suggests that in recent years, a fresh appreciation for the biblical call to parents is taking hold for many, namely, that pa...

"Surging waters cannot quench love, floodwaters cannot overflow it" (SS 8:7 NET). The love described here is a fiery love with a deep, resolute devotion in it. It's a love that cannot be moved, even under the harshest opposition. It's a resolved commitment. The decision has been made, and it's impossible for it to be undone. Like skydiving: once you jump out of the plan...

Paul Tripp has a great deal of wisdom and God has used him to shape much of my thinking about how the gospel impacts daily living. He has a lot to say about parenting in this light. Desiring God has posted a great "DG Live" video that I hope you'll take the time to watch, whether you're a parent or not. Paul Tripp on the Heart of Parenting...

What might it mean to raise up our children "in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph.6:4)? Robert Plummer has a helpful article on the subject in theJournal of Family Ministry. Here are some excerpts (emphases mine): "In one setting, a father might fulfill Ephesians 6:4 by sharing the stories about Jesus that he himself has learned orally while he and his son ...

Fundamentally, in the Christian sense of the idea, to repent is to turn from wrong thinking and attitudes about Jesus, to right thinking and attitudes about Jesus and his gospel. To repent in this sense is to turn away from thinking that assumes Jesus was just a man, or just an example, or just a counselor, or, maybe, just some crazy person, etc. It's to turn away from th...