The Prayer Team
Many years ago, when I stepped out of pastoral ministry into executive leadership, I was overwhelmed and knew I would not survive without spiritual support. I decided to write a column in the Northwest Baptist Witness asking for people who were already praying for me to form a prayer team. Note the careful qualifier – […]
Prayer Sparks
Every once in a while you stumble across something that is simultaneously simple and extremely impactful; something that alters the way you do things beyond what you would ever expect. Several years ago I had just such an occurrence. I had recently started a new Bible reading plan which had me reading through each book […]
The Sound of Groaning: A Reflection on Romans 8:18-30
Recently, I was praying and couldn’t come up with words to say. What came out was a guttural sigh, which frankly left me annoyed. I said to myself, “Look at me- how pathetic. I can’t even articulate what I’m trying to pray- all I’m doing is groaning, and God doesn’t want to hear that.” I […]
A Christian Response to Tragedy
Massacre. Atrocities. Carnage. Those were some of the words used to describe the results of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israeli civilians. Infants were mutilated. Women were raped. Senior adults were beaten. People were murdered, indiscriminately slaughtered in their homes, at work, and at public events. Pure evil – on stark display on terrorist-produced social […]
Prayer: A Gift from Our Triune God
O God the Father of heaven, have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, have mercy upon us miserable sinners. O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three persons and one God, […]
Prayer in Crisis
When all else fails, pray. That’s the response most people make to a crisis—shown once again by the immediate response to the tragic injury to Damar Hamlin during the Buffalo Bills/Cincinnati Bengals game on Monday night football. Sports commentators, who normally eschew or lampoon references to religion, repeatedly said all they could do in the […]
Faculty Dialogues: Providence, Prayer & Evil
In this episode of Faculty Dialogues, Dr. Rick Durst, senior professor of historical theology, and I elucidate a biblical theology of providence, prayer, and evil. A substantial grasp on these three items is crucial for Christian discipleship and doctrinal formation, especially during a time of global pandemic. Watch the full conversation below
Safer at Home
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thinks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thes. 5:16-18 ESV Some passages of scripture make more sense if you read the phrases from ending to beginning. The phrase “rejoice always,” can seem like Pollyanna advice until you read the last […]
Maximizing Prayer Time
Small group prayer can be some of the most meaningful moments of your group’s weekly time together. Prayer builds bonds between members of the group, encourages faith in God’s provision and care, and invites God to interject in our lives in a powerful way. As Bible teachers, you know that prayer requests are an essential […]