A Fé e a Medicina
Sobre fé e medicina, algumas pessoas ensinam que Deus não cura mais ou, se cura, é muito raro. Eles afirmam que a era dos milagres já passou.… read more
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Reflections From Visiting Spurgeon’s Grave
On a recent trip to Europe (August 2022), Lisa and I were able to visit Charles Spurgeon’s grave at the West Norwood Cemetery in London. Before traveling to England, we had been in Nice, France and also visited Menton, France.… read more
It is NOT New! How the Early Church Dealt with Abortion and Infanticide
Early Christian writers spoke both about abortion and the common practice at that time of “abandoning” or “exposing” unwanted infants at birth. In the time of the Roman Empire, it was not uncommon for parents to abandon an unwanted infant in the woods or to leave them along a roadside.… read more
Did Paul Miss It?
Did Paul Miss It? Rev. Tony Cooke I was recently asked this question while teaching on Paul’s ministry in the Book of Acts. It wasn’t the first time I’ve been […]
Leading on Empty
I’ve given away many copies of this book to various friends (all of them 20+ year ministry veterans) in recent times, and many said that the book struck a deep chord within them. Some recognized that they were already into various stages of burnout; others acknowledged that they were dangerously close to the brink. …read more
Faith and Medicine
It is unfortunate that some people have chosen to pit medicine against faith as though they were somehow adversarial. I believe these two forces should be seen as complementary, not as contradictory. After all, both your faith and the doctor are aiming at the same goal—your healing and wholeness. My persuasion is that medicine and faith can be integrated and complementary. They do not need to be adversarial toward or isolated from one another. … read more
Insights from the next guy. Pastoral Transition.
In Lamentations 5:19, Jeremiah writes, “Your throne continues from generation to generation.” It is important to understand that Jeremiah said that to God, not to any of us. Our physical presence in ministry has an “expiration date,” and every pastor should realize that he is, in a sense, an interim pastor. Someone will eventually succeed him.… read more
I’m Part of the Universal Church. Do I Need the Local Church?
We were not born again just to have a personal relationship with God; we also were saved to have a relationship with God’s family—with one another. If I only focus on God’s love for me as an individual and neglect the importance of the local church, I am going to miss a huge part of God’s overall plan.… read more
Stay Put (Even When You Feel Like Running)
“The grass is always greener on the other side.” At least that’s the message of the old adage. Timothy probably noticed many lush fields (elsewhere) while he was serving Paul.… read more
Thoughts on the Power of Prayer
I’ve been reading after a number of people on the topic of prayer lately, and my own heart has been stirred toward prayer as well. A couple of comments by R. A. Torrey (an associate of D. L. Moody) recently caught my attention…… read more
Reflections from a Debate on Eternal Security
On February 23, 2022, I took part in a debate hosted by Pastor Mark Cowart and Church for All Nations in Colorado Springs—the topic was “Once Saved Always Saved.” … read more
Moving Beyond “Hold the Fort”
The farther I go in my walk with the Lord, the more I am impressed with our need for focus, diligence, and full engagement with him. As we see the world succumbing more and more to deception and corruption, we need to do more than “not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). … read more
What the Anointing is Not
Duke Ellington, the late jazz musician, composer and renowned band leader, was once asked to provide a definition of rhythm. “If you got it,” he replied, “you don’t need no definition. And if you don’t have it, ain’t no definition gonna help.” I think that same statement could apply to the anointing as well!… read more
Caçadores de Tempestades – Parte 1
Tendo vivido em Oklahoma por mais de três décadas, Lisa e eu passamos por muitas temporadas de tornados ativos. Além dos meteorologistas com seus sistemas de radar de alta tecnologia, algumas das pessoas que recebem atenção significativa durante a temporada de tornados são os caçadores de tempestades.… read more
O Comum e o Extraordinário Trabalhar do Espírito
É bom ter em mente a demarcação que Jonathan Edwards fez. Ele frequentemente fazia diferenciação entre as obras “comuns” do Espírito e Suas obras “extraordinárias”. Se acontecer de você possuir fortes dons em relação às obras “extraordinárias”, ou se for uma época de “sinais” notáveis, isso é maravilhoso.… read more
Conducting a Funeral for an Unsaved Person
Question: What is your purpose, strategy, philosophy, etc. in conducting a funeral for a person who was not necessarily saved?
Storm Chasers – Part 2
In ancient times, physicians who took the Hippocratic Oath pledged to “do no harm.” That’s a good commitment for physicians, and it’s also a good commitment for all who minister to people struggling and fighting their way through the storms of life. … read more
Storm Chasers – Part 1
Having lived in Oklahoma for more than three decades, Lisa and I have been through many active tornado seasons. In addition to the meteorologists with their high-tech radar systems, some of the people who receive significant attention during tornado season are the storm chasers. … read more
Excerpts from In Search of Paul
Here are some excerpts from a few different chapters—this will give you an idea about some of the book’s content. … read more
The Ordinary and the Extraordinary Works of the Spirit
It is good to keep in mind the delineation that Jonathan Edwards made. He frequently differentiated between “ordinary” works of the Spirit and “extraordinary” works of the Spirit. … read more
One Thing
I’m curious if there is a particular theme that God has put on your heart for 2022. Of course, God can impress us at any time and for any period or season of time he deems fit. … read more
No Kenosis, No Christmas
As Christmas approaches, I have been enjoying Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, God in the Manger. Bonhoeffer was a leader in Germany’s Confessing Church, believers who stood in opposition to Hitler and his policies. He was eventually imprisoned and was executed mere weeks before the Allied troops overtook and defeated the Nazis to end WWII in Europe. … read more
When Christmas Put a War on Hold
A pastor friend just contacted me and let me know he was going to be sharing some thoughts on a few of the Christmas Carols in their Sunday service and asked if I had any thoughts. My heart was immediately gladdened because many of the songs about Christ’s birth carry such rich and profound meaning. … read more
Who Are “the Lapsed” and Why Do They Matter?
In the early centuries of the church, those who denied their faith in times of persecution were said to have “lapsed.” Those who persevered in their faith and refused to recant or to compromise were called “confessors.” In other words, they truly held fast the confession of their faith despite imprisonment and torture, sometimes unto death. … read more
Prophecies for 2022?
Every time January rolls around, countless prophecies from every corner are given about what God is going to do and about what Christians should expect in the New Year. … read more
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