There are some in our culture who say that emotions are bad. “They get in the way of true, intellectual rationality. They cloud our judgment.” Think of Spock from Star Trek, who always sought to be logical rather than emotional. He sees logic as the opposite of emotion. But in our culture today, I think the dominant voice says that emotions are ultimate. “If it…
I encourage every Christian to read and study church history because it is helpful to see the successes and failures of past generations. This fall, in particular, I would encourage you to pick up two biographies about two men during a remarkable period called the First Great Awakening, which was a revival of true gospel Christianity between 1720 and 1750. The first biography I would…
There is a spiritual disease in modern America called “consumer Christianity.” This disease is rampant among evangelical and reformed believers, especially in wealthy suburbs like Garnet Valley and Chadds Ford. But at its root, consumer Christianity is an unbiblical mindset that turns Christians into consumers and churches into businesses. So here’s my question: Are you a Consumer Christian or a Christian missionary? If you’re not…
Why do we pray before meals? Is it simply a valuable practice of mindfulness, as Emily Heil seems to indicate in a recent Washington Post article? Is it merely a quaint ritual or a man-made tradition? And most importantly, what does the Bible teach us? First and foremost, we pray before meals because of the example of Jesus. In Matthew 14:19, Jesus “looked up to…
We all hate interruptions. But as a parent of two small children, interruptions are a way of life. I finally lay down to sleep after a long day, and—interruption—a toddler burst into my room. I think I have my baby down for a nap, and I settle down to read a book until — interruption— cries ring from the bedroom. But interruptions can come from…
Psalm 23 is a beautiful piece of ancient Hebrew poetry that countless believers have sung and prayed for generations. Therefore, taking a verse a month, we have walked through this Psalm verse by verse. And today, we find ourselves in the final verse—verse 6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of…
Psalm 23 is a beautiful piece of ancient Hebrew poetry that countless believers have sung and prayed for generations. Therefore, taking a verse a month, we are walking through this Psalm verse by verse. And today, we find ourselves in verse 5: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”(Psalms 23:5…
Psalm 23 is a beautiful piece of ancient Hebrew poetry that countless believers have sung and prayed for generations. Therefore, taking a verse a month, we are walking through this Psalm verse by verse. And today, we find ourselves in verse 4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy…
Psalm 23 is a beautiful piece of ancient Hebrew poetry that countless believers have sung and prayed for generations. Therefore, taking a verse a month, we are walking through this psalm verse by verse. And today, we find ourselves in verse 3: "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake (Psalms 23:3 KJV)." Now, you may not…
Psalm 23 is a beautiful piece of ancient Hebrew poetry that countless believers have sung and prayed for generations. Therefore, taking a verse a month, we are walking through this Psalm verse by verse. And today, we find ourselves in verse 2: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalms 23:2 KJV). As you read this verse,…
Psalm 23 is a beautiful and glorious piece of ancient Hebrew poetry. Countless people have valued and prayed it throughout human history. But it is still valuable today as well. Therefore, using my monthly column here at Chadds Ford Live, I’m going to walk through this psalm verse by verse over the next six months, Lord willing. So, here’s our first verse today: “The LORD…