I was ten years old when I first started having daily devotions. A godly Sunday School teacher challenged me to read the Bible and pray at least five minutes every day. “I can do that,” I thought, so I accepted her challenge. Little did I know at that time how transformative the practice of daily…
Read MoreWe present another edition of the Proclaim & Defend podcast with an interview of Pastor Ryan Martin based on his article in the January/February edition of FrontLine entitled “Cosmetic Surgery in a Plastic Age.” We’re all familiar with news about one actor or another undergoing multiple cosmetic “procedures.” We even hear from time to time…
Read More“I wasn’t raised in a _____________ (Christian, good) home and my father never talked to me. So, I don’t really know how to talk to my own kids.” It’s time for some tough talk to dads. That is no excuse for failing your own children in your most basic responsibility as a father—to teach your…
Read MoreI recently gave a challenge in which I was asked to give the gospel. I was working in my garden as I thought about how I would present it, and I thought about the connections between the gardens in the Bible and the gospel. The Garden of Eden and an off-limit tree In the beginning,…
Read MorePeople keep asking me, “How are you doing?” Majesty Music’s sweet Susan Perry, head of customer service, texted me this morning: “How are you doing?” What to say? I finally came up with, “Ok. Better than not ok. Not as good as wonderful.” How do you respond after losing a close loved one? You fully…
Read MoreWashington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt are men not only conspicuous in the pages of American history; their images are carved into the stone face of Mt. Rushmore. The record of the lives of some men makes it nearly impossible for them to be forgotten by future generations. But there are countless other great individuals whose…
Read MoreMy family reads a lot. We try hard to limit time in front of the screen and take care about what we watch. We strive to find and keep books that are truly good books, those that are well-written, wholesome, encouraging Christlikeness, and reinforcing teaching from God’s Word. We love to read books that friends…
Read MoreBut know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, ]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of…
Read MoreThis part 5 of a 5-part series. For previous posts, click the following: part 1; part 2; part 3; part 4. I’ve often heard it said that the most common reason people give for turning away from God is not due to some intellectual hangup but due to some horrible experience of suffering. If that’s…
Read MoreLess than two years from today will bring us to an incredible 500-year anniversary that should be remembered by God’s people: January 21, 1525, was the day that saw many brave Anabaptists receive baptism as believers. Among those baptized at that time were Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and George Blaurock. “The newly baptized then pledged…
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