Unless you are an evangelical hermit you know of Bethlehem Baptist Church’s (BBC) latest proposal on baptism. The elders sought a constitutional change that would have relaxed the church’s grip on believer’s baptism as a requirement for church membership. This proposal has since been rescinded for now undoubtedly for several reasons. In the meantime, the elders of Clifton Baptist Church (CBC), Louisville, Kentucky, submitted their own proposal, offering responses and […]

“. . . the pastor must not be ‘busy.’ Busyness is an illness of spirit, a rush from one thing to another because there is no ballast of vocational integrity and no confidence in the primacy of grace. In order there to be conversation and prayer that do the pastoral work of meeting the intimacy needs among people, there must be a wide margin of quiet leisure that defies the […]

There was no day like that before it or after it, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel. Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. (Joshua 10.14, 42) Joshua went virtually undefeated against Palestinian opponents. His one loss was at Ai where Achan threw the game with […]

[Job] was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil (Job 1.1). “the LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (1.21). “Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (2.10) “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, and I am not at rest, but turmoil comes” (3.26). How quick we are to play the Job card. […]

WARNING: All 20th century Baptists should stop reading here. My 1-year-old daughter loves to dance. It’s hardly choreography, but it’s definitely dancing. And she’s developed quite a repertoire. At the faintest suggestion of music she bounces and sways. And if “the rhythm is gonna getcha” she launches into her rapid-fire stomping, alternating feet and laughing with abandon. She has recently enticed me to the dance floor. She will grab my […]

“Only God can awaken in our souls the marvel and wonder of which he is worthy. God must restore in his people the mystery and excitement of the knowledge of all that he is for us in Jesus.”(Sam Storms, One Thing: Developing a Passion for the Beauty of God, p149) I joyfully recommend this book. If you like Piper you will love Storms. They swim in the same stream and […]

Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria. I loathe the arrogance of Jacob. (Amos 6.1, 8). For most Americans the top news story this morning was the end of New York City’s transit workers’ strike. One news station proudly captioned their coverage “The Nightmare is Over.” This invokes several thoughts that hearken back to 8th century BC […]

“Now he called his name Noah, saying, ‘This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed.’” (Genesis 5.29) Generally speaking, most folks hate their jobs. Perhaps “hate” is too strong, but they certainly do not sense the fulfillment of all sweetness and light at them. No one wants to be overworked, distraught, stressed-out, and […]

Would that I worshiped as Brother Augustine: “You, my God, are supreme, utmost in goodness, mightiest and all-powerful, most merciful and most just. You are the most hidden from us and yet the most present amongst us, the most beautiful and yet the most strong, ever enduring and yet we cannot comprehend you. You are unchangeable and yet you change all things. You are never new, never old, and yet […]

There are two ways to be humbled in this life. We can be exalted for who we really are not—that’s grace (cf. Prov 25.6-7; Lk 14.7-11). Or, we can be exposed for who we really are—that’s justice (cf. 2 Sam 12.7; Prov 3.34; 1 Pt 5.5; Jam 4.6). In the end, God will have humility one way or another. But Jesus says it is far better to be humbled by […]