Two months ago, many families were huddled around Advent wreaths, reading the Christmas story by candlelight, or adding to their Jesse trees each evening and singing carols. Christmas is a wonderful time to create routines and to celebrate the wonder of Jesus. But what about the rest of the year? Parents, we have a responsibility to worship God with our kids and teach them the Bible all...
Many volunteers within the church feel overwhelmed at the thought of serving in the youth ministry. What is expected of a volunteer? What about being able to answer the tricky theological questions teenagers often ask? In Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers, veteran youth pastor Mike McGarry offers a comprehensive tool to equip and encourage every member involved with the youth of a...
When our oldest son was about four years old, I sat down to watch a movie some friends had recommended. Not too far into the story, the plot took a turn I wasn’t expecting. A child was tragically killed in a farming accident. The horror hit home and anxiety choked my heart. I didn’t even finish the movie. Sometime I can watch movies and enjoy the ups and downs of the plot. But other times, a...
This post is a continuation of an excerpt from Tying the Knot: A Premarital Guide to a Strong & Lasting Marriage by Rob Green, examining biblical love as described in 1 Corinthians 13. To read part one, please click here. Love Does Not Seek Its Own While many people marry because the other person helps them love themselves better than anyone else, biblical love is interested in giving...
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.Love is patient and...
