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Mar 2015 31 Mar 31, 2015
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Our society is being wracked by a seemingly never-ending dispute over the meaning, legality, and nature of so-called same-sex marriage. The experts tell us that it is highly likely the Supreme Court will soon issue a ruling making same-sex marriage legal in all fifty states. So what should be the Christian response? Continue reading . . . Our society is being wracked by a seemingly never-ending dispute over the meaning, legality, and nature of so-called same-sex marriag...Read More

Mar 2015 30 Mar 30, 2015
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When I hear people object to the doctrine of unconditional election they don’t typically direct my attention to a particular passage of Scripture that they believe teaches conditional election. Instead, they insist, for example, that unconditional election is inconsistent with any meaningful call to evangelistic outreach. Continue reading . . . When I hear people object to the doctrine of unconditional election they don’t typically direct my attention to a p...Read More

Mar 2015 27 Mar 27, 2015

I am excited to announce the official launch of the Oklahoma Church Planting Residency, a cooperative effort of Bridgeway Church and Frontline Church, two Oklahoma City congregations in the Acts 29 network of church-planting churches. Continue reading . . . I am excited to announce the official launch of the Oklahoma Church Planting Residency, a cooperative effort of Bridgeway Church and Frontline Church, two Oklahoma City congregations in the Acts 29 network of church-...Read More

Mar 2015 26 Mar 26, 2015
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One of the more familiar stories in the NT is where Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people with a handful of fish and a few loaves of bread. But what’s it all really about? Is it just a wonderful miracle story about overcoming hunger in the wilderness? Continue reading . . . One of the more familiar stories in the NT is where Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people with a handful of fish and a few loaves of bread. But what’s it all really about? Is it just a wonder...Read More

Mar 2015 25 Mar 25, 2015

As best I can remember, it was the spring of 1971. Ann and I had been dating for about seven months. I’m not sure how committed she was to me but I was absolutely certain that we were going to get married. As far as I was concerned, she was my girl and nothing or no one was going to get in the way of our future together. Continue reading . . . As best I can remember, it was the spring of 1971. Ann and I had been dating for about seven months. I’m not sure ho...Read More

Mar 2015 24 Mar 24, 2015
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In Hebrews 12:25-29 the author of this epistle harkens back to what happened on Mt. Sinai and sees in it a prophetic picture of what will occur when Christ returns to this earth to consummate his kingdom. Continue reading . . . In Hebrews 12:25-29 the author of this epistle harkens back to what happened on Mt. Sinai and sees in it a prophetic picture of what will occur when Christ returns to this earth to consummate his kingdom. “See that you do not refuse him ...Read More

Mar 2015 23 Mar 23, 2015
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A couple of years ago I was interviewed concerning how we at Bridgeway Church facilitate the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our services. Below are my answers. Continue reading . . . A couple of years ago I was interviewed concerning how we at Bridgeway Church facilitate the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our services. Below are my answers. 1. How would you describe the role of the Holy Spirit in your church in general and in your weekly corporate gatherings in particu...Read More

Mar 2015 20 Mar 20, 2015
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All of us experience, at various times in life, what I call “defining moments.” I’m talking about those occasions when, much to our surprise, we discover some previously unknown truth about reality or about ourselves that is truly life-changing. I had one such “defining moment” on January 5th, 1976. Continue reading . . . All of us experience, at various times in life, what I call “defining moments.” I’m talking about thos...Read More

Mar 2015 19 Mar 19, 2015

[I’ve posted this article about the same time each year for three years running, so many of you who’ve read it before may wish to move on to other things. But if you missed it, you need to read it.] Continue reading . . . [I’ve posted this article about the same time each year for three years running, so many of you who’ve read it before may wish to move on to other things. But if you missed it, you need to read it.] If you aren’t a fan of...Read More

Mar 2015 17 Mar 17, 2015
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Last week my good friend Kevin DeYoung posted an article on his blog titled, A Brief Defense of Infant Baptism. I thought it might help everyone to hear a brief defense of believer’s baptism, or what we typically refer to as credo baptism. What follows is not a response to Kevin’s arguments, but simply an outline of the reasons why I remain a credo-baptist. Continue reading . . . Last week my good friend Kevin DeYoung posted an article on his blog titled, A ...Read More

Mar 2015 16 Mar 16, 2015
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I often hear people wonder aloud: “Why theology? What’s the need for theology? Doesn’t it serve only to divide people and align them on opposite sides of issues that ultimately don’t matter much anyway? Shouldn’t we simply serve God and let him sort out the options once we get to heaven? After all, theology seems so impractical.” Continue reading . . . I often hear people wonder aloud: “Why theology? What’s the need for th...Read More

Mar 2015 12 Mar 12, 2015

Today we resume our study of Mark 6:14-29 and the story of Herod, John the Baptist, and a couple of reprehensible women. Continue reading . . . Today we resume our study of Mark 6:14-29 and the story of Herod, John the Baptist, and a couple of reprehensible women. King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, &l...Read More

Mar 2015 11 Mar 11, 2015

There’s no easy way around this story, so let me come straight to the point and say it as honestly, yet delicately, as I can. On the surface the story in Mark 6:14-29 feels more at home in the National Enquirer than it does in the Bible. I would expect to read about this sort of thing in the gossip column of some Hollywood blogger, but hardly in the Bible! Continue reading . . . There’s no easy way around this story, so let me come straight to the point and ...Read More

Mar 2015 10 Mar 10, 2015
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I’m sure everyone is familiar with Hebrews 12:1-2, but look at it with me yet again. Continue reading . . . I’m sure everyone is familiar with Hebrews 12:1-2, but look at it with me yet again: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, w...Read More

Mar 2015 9 Mar 9, 2015

It was by faith that Moses made a critical decision: he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter (Heb. 11:24). Continue reading . . . It was by faith that Moses made a critical decision: he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter (Heb. 11:24). Let me say just a brief word about who this woman may have been, because it sheds considerable light on the nature of Moses’ choice. Many argue that this woman was probably just one of the many daughter...Read More

Mar 2015 6 Mar 6, 2015

Abraham’s remarkable faith is nowhere better seen than in his obedience to God’s command that he sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar. Continue reading . . . Abraham’s remarkable faith is nowhere better seen than in his obedience to God’s command that he sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar. F. B. Meyer’s description of it is worthy of our close consideration: “Can you not see the old man slowly gathering the stones, bringing them ...Read More

Mar 2015 5 Mar 5, 2015
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I’ve always been both intrigued and encouraged by something John the Apostle wrote in the fifth chapter of his first epistle: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). Jesus said something almost identical in Matthew 11. In making his appeal for people to follow him, he gave this reason: “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:30). Continue reading . . ...Read More

Mar 2015 4 Mar 4, 2015
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Some people think that I take a certain perverse pleasure in bursting their deeply cherished doctrinal bubbles or in slaying their sacred cows when it comes to certain long-held beliefs about the Bible. I don’t. Well, o.k., so maybe I do, just a little bit. But my real pleasure comes from providing people with a clear explanation of the truth of God’s Word, and if in the process of doing so I have to call into question some of the things they may have been in...Read More

Mar 2015 3 Mar 3, 2015

An anonymous woman, who had been suffering for 12 years, approached Jesus one day (Mark 5:25-34). Greek tradition has given her the name Bernice. Latin tradition calls her Veronica. Some even say this may have been Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, but that is pure speculation. Continue reading . . . An anonymous woman, who had been suffering for 12 years, approached Jesus one day (Mark 5:25-34). Greek tradition has given her the name Bernice. Latin tradition call...Read More

Mar 2015 2 Mar 2, 2015

I can still recall how Sunday, August 30, 1981, began. Ann and I were living in Dallas where I was serving as an associate pastor at a large non-denominational church. It was my custom on Sunday mornings, as I got dressed, to watch on TV some of the services being broadcast by several churches in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. Continue reading . . . I can still recall how Sunday, August 30, 1981, began. Ann and I were living in Dallas where I was serving as an associate p...Read More