Author: Will Stern

If you look at the beliefs section of the church I pastor in Garnet Valley, Hope Presbyterian, you’ll notice that we desire to be “gospel-centered.” Now, if you don’t know what the word gospel means, I encourage you to read the book of Romans in the New Testament and explore this link, which summarizes the gospel in clear language. I would also love to buy you coffee and meet up…

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”  (Psalms 81:10 ESV) According to this verse from Psalm 81, God wants us to root our lives in two realities simultaneously — the past and the future. First, let’s look at how God wants us to root our lives in the…

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”  (Psalms 139:23-24 ESV) We all want to be understood on some level. But sometimes we’re afraid of being truly known. What if we’re vulnerable and people still reject us? So, we choose isolation and anonymity…

Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Now, for people in the modern world, trusting in chariots and horses may sound like a pleasant metaphor. But remember, these were prime examples of human power and might in the ancient world. Therefore, I wonder how David would have written this verse…

The church I pastor, Hope Presbyterian, is currently praying through the book of Psalms as a response to COVID-19. And as I read Psalm 16, I was struck by these words: "Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you” (Psalms 16:1-2). What does it mean to “have…

My monthly article in Chadds Ford Life is all about exploring hope: this is important in our time as we consider the spread of COVID-19 and economic uncertainty. How should we respond to this international crisis? First, we should be smart and proactive, but we don't need to be afraid: God is in control. He loves the world. He gave his Son to redeem the…

If you went out to the street in America and ask people what they think Christianity is all about, you would get a lot of different answers. Some might say that Christianity is about rules and regulations. Others might say that Christianity is about church buildings, robes, and ceremonies. Others might say that Christianity is about bigotry and holding on to outdated values. But most…

You sit in Starbucks while Christmas carols play in the background. You go to the grocery store and hear “Joy to the World” humming softly through bad speakers. Carols are ubiquitous at this time of year. And for some, this is great. You love Christmas carols and want to start playing them before Thanksgiving (something that was anathema in my family growing up). But for…

If you ever go to a bookstore and look at the Bible section, you'll be surprised by the vast number of translations – NIV, KJV, NLT, CSB, ESV, NKJV, NRSV, NASB — just to name a few. And if you’re new to Christianity, it may feel bewildering. It could even make you doubt the trustworthiness of the Bible. You say, "If there are so many…

I occasionally come across people who say that all religions are true. They claim that God is like a mountain with many roads to the top. It doesn’t matter which road you take as long as you love others and treat them with respect. However, there is a logical problem with this idea. Jesus clearly claimed to be the only way to God. He said,…