But What Do The Scriptures Teach (Part 1)

Recently I was listening to a woke modern preacher speak on the topic of King David. The preacher was speaking about David and Bathsheba and David sending Uriah into battle to certain death. The behavior was despicable and a grievous sin. It was essentially hidden from the public eye and could have gone unnoticed. As you read Scripture, questions arise and independent thought is appropriate, but as we consider these passages, we need to look at the narrative, confirm what

God is Love

I ran across The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton and have been reading it very slowly. I am not reading it slowly to spend time to research the many people and ideas mentioned in the book (although this would be a wonderful idea for a small group). I am reading it slowly because I return to it after long breaks. Recently I read a section that I think will serve as a great apologetic resource and I will do my best to sum up the thought of Chesterton.

It comes in his desc

Prayer & Communion With God

Our series titled “The Fullness of Prayer: Communion with God” begins on Sunday evening June 5th. Communion with God should not be confused with the sacrament by the same name, but encompasses the broader scope of our relationship with God. It is the nearness and deep sense of devotion and personal relationship that Christians have the privilege of enjoying. It is our interaction with the God of Heaven and His responsive, loving ministry to us. 

This afternoon, at the Bann

The Broken Body of Christ

“For He will consummate God’s gift of salvation, peace, and happiness. This promise encourages us, in the earthly rubble and devastation of the community of His people, to play our part in building something new, on the way from “futility” to “glory.” – Hans Walter Wolff

This quote showed up from my social media two years ago (10/27/2019). I was in the early days of my time as pastor here in College Corner having left behind a position that caused pain for the Schrage hous

Infinitely Good

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

The passage above is the mission statement of the Christian church known as the Great Commission. It is what the church should be doing in this world. Go out from the church, tell people about Jesus, and call them to wor

Dead Inside

Recently I wrote a couple of articles that addressed t-shirts with images or words on them related to the Scriptures. These articles warned of the danger of taking a single verse, removing it from its immediate context, and using it to send a message that is counter to the Gospel and the teaching of Christ. In keeping with the t-shirt theme, I wanted to share this t-shirt that is not from a Christian website, but rather than presenting false teaching, it gets to the heart

Obey God, Expect Suffering

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29

Last month we looked at Philippians 4:13 and what misinterpreting that passage could mean for the Christian. Several years ago that t-shirt has illustrated the need for people to embrace a deeper understanding of Scripture. More recently a new image kept popping up on my social media referencing Acts 5:29. It reads, “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”” T

I Can Do All Things

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Recently I have been receiving lots of adds for “Reformed” products that include coffee mugs, coasters, t-shirts, hoodies, and plenty of other items that can mark me out as a Christian. It is wonderful to see these products and to know that there is a market for these types of things. It is encouraging to know that people wish to show their faith and commitment to Jesus Christ. I celebrate these website

God All-Sufficient

As a challenging year comes to close and a new year begins, we feel like we need gas for our sputtering engines. To help with this I want to suggest a mantra for 2021. In Hebrew there are many different names for God and each of these names tells us something about His character. These names and what they reveal are designed to give us a fuller picture of our God. As we understand them, they should strengthen our trust and reliance upon Him. 

The name El Shaddai is often t

The Hope of Hopewell: Honoring God and Loving Your Neighbor

I had the privilege of preaching at the Historic Hopewell Church at Hueston Woods State Park near Oxford, Ohio. The church that I serve as pastor traces its roots to that historic building, which no longer has a congregation, but is maintained and utilized by various churches providing worship for Hueston Woods visitors. As I prepared for this opportunity, I learned the history of the church and feel it is a forgotten testimony of the church fighting against the evil of ra

The Word of God in the Soul of a Man

This week as we consider Jonah, we are going to look at a man in despair, literally sinking into the depths. Where does he look to find comfort and rest? Where does he go when confined in the belly of a fish, as he feels his life, both spiritual and physical, fading away? Where does he look for deliverance?

As you read the record of Jonah’s prayer, you see that it is picturesque poetry. He is crying out from the depths and many of his thoughts reflect a knowledge of the P

When We Want More

During the pandemic, I recently watched “Waco,” which follows the story of the Branch Davidians in Texas and the standoff that took place over 51 days. It likely gives some creative license to the director, but I expect that the account reflects the real (but very false) beliefs of David Koresh as shared by the few survivors. He believed that he was a prophet of God and would be the one to open the seals mentioned in the Book of Revelation. He read Scripture and knew i