Recent Articles
- Moving Beyond Disillusionment and Disappointment October 23, 2024
- The Significance of One September 13, 2024
- What About That “Hard-to-Understand” Scripture? August 28, 2024
- The Snare of Success August 20, 2024
- God’s Amazing Plan for Non-Preachers August 19, 2024
Caçadores de Tempestades – Parte 1
/in Articles in Portuguese /by Tony CookeTendo 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
/in Articles in Portuguese /by Tony CookeÉ 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
/in Funeral Resources, Funeral Resources by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeQuestion: What is your purpose, strategy, philosophy, etc. in conducting a funeral for a person who was not necessarily saved?
Storm Chasers – Part 2
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeIn 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
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeHaving 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
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeHere are some excerpts from a few different chapters—this will give you an idea about some of the book’s content. … read more
Influence Beyond Your Generation
/in Articles by Lisa Cooke /by Lisa CookeI have a dear friend, Judi Tillett, who recently shared with me that the Lord had quickened this phrase to her concerning the New Year: “Walk in the wonder of My Word.” In the moment, I wrote back and told her that I would let that sink in. … read more
The Ordinary and the Extraordinary Works of the Spirit
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeIt 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
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeI’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
/in Articles by Tony Cooke, Christmas, Holiday Resources /by Tony CookeAs 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
/in Articles by Tony Cooke, Christmas, Holiday Resources /by Tony CookeA 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 Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeIn 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?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeEvery 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
Seven Questions Every Potential Servant of God Should Ask
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeHere are seven questions each of us can ask ourselves to help us begin serving God and working more effectively for Him. … read more
What Child is This?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeOf all the people who know that Christmas marks the birthday of Jesus Christ, I wonder how many of them know—I mean, really know—who Jesus actually is. … read more
Medicine and Miracles
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeThis is Andrew’s story… his testimony about his journey through some serious mental health challenges and substance abuse issues. We hear a lot about “mental health” these days, and we are proud of our son for wanting to share his journey. Andrew is preparing to receive training in peer support to better help others struggling with some of life’s great challenges. … read more
Developing a Lay Ministry Team in Your Church
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeWe often hear talk about the need to enlist others for ministry, to raise up leaders, to delegate, etc. I was just at John Nuzzo’s church (Victory Family Church) in Cranberry Township, PA, and saw these principles being implemented tremendously well. … read more
The Real Saint Nicholas
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeThose in the USA know all about Santa Claus… North Pole, Reindeer, Chimneys, Gifts, Jolly, etc. But way behind all of the myth and lore, there really was a Saint Nicholas. … read more
Do the Seven Churches Represent Seven “Ages” of the Church?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeThe question I receive most frequently about the Seven Churches of Revelation is this: Do the Seven Churches Represent Seven “Ages” of the Church? If so, what age of the church are we in now? … read more
Visiting D.L. Moody Sites in Massachusetts
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeI was recently privileged to minister in Seekonk, MA, and Lisa and I were able to visit some of the historic sites in Boston on the Saturday prior (thank you Pastor John and Anita Pfeffer).… read more
Support Resources for Hurting People
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeI recently attended a breakfast for Tulsa area ministers hosted by a local Psychiatric clinic and hospital. The presentation that morning was done by Tim Peterson, an outstanding brother who has deep Christian roots and excellent professional training. … read more
Four Punctuation Marks and a Funeral
/in Funeral Resources, Funeral Resources by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeYou might think it strange that we would be talking about punctuation marks at a time like this, but the four symbols you see on the screen actually represent the four points of my message today.
Não Sejamos Pedras de Tropeço
/in Articles in Portuguese /by Tony CookeAnos atrás, recebi uma ligação de uma enfermeira de uma escola primária local. Ela me pedia ajuda com relação a uma determinada situação. Quando perguntados a respeito do médico que cuidava da família, os pais de um aluno novato preencheram “Doutor Jesus” no formulário. … read more
Harshness in the Pulpit?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeHere is a question for every minister to consider: How does a minister operate in boldness and authority without being harsh or abusive? How does a pastor balance being a strong leader and still walking in love toward the flock?… read more
When Worldviews Collide
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeWhen I attended my first few years of university in Indiana, my faith was not shaken when some professors made certain denigrating statements toward the Bible as God’s word, but I was concerned about other impressionable students who may have been weak or shallow in their faith.… read more