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Newton: “I once was blind but now I see” – Amazing Grace John Newton is best known for being the author of the hymn Amazing Grace. He was a slave trader turned pastor. He knew the transforming power of the hope of the Gospel. Today I share a modernised and abridged version of a letter he wrote...

Nothing But Smoke [ 1 min read ★ ] Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy—Matthew 6:19 This world, and everything in it, is characterized by defect and decay (Genesis 3:17; 1 John 2:17). Everything. Nothing is perfect—as...

Revelation 13:11-18 Seven Characteristics of the False Prophet ast updated on: July 20, 2016 at 12:14 pm by Jim Erwin Revelation 13:11-18 Seven Characteristics of the False Prophet Revelation 13:11-18 Seven Characteristics of the False Prophet is a sermon in the series on Revelation. Ancient...

Who Are Your Fellow Conspirators? [ 1 min read ★ ] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them—Matthew 18:20 For many of us men, our default is go-it-alone. We prefer to work alone, make decisions alone, muscle through struggles...

Failure: It’s Not About Success Failure Is When We Stop Trying I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2 Earlier this week I saw my dentist and during the examination he pressed his thumb into the side of my neck. Hard. Feel that? Ahhh…yes. That’s the...

Combatting Negativity: Overcoming Antisocial Media There’s a lot to be angry about on the antisocial social media. Keyboard warriors posting things they would never say to your face. I’ll be honest, In many ways I have had enough. If I had a dollar for every time I have written a comment and...

Top 7 Bible Verses For Blessing A New Home Moving into a new home is an exciting time because it brings new beginnings and hope for dreams fulfilled. Whether you are a newly married couple, a family starting a new journey in a new town or single and buying your first place, take time to breath...

He Calls Us Still [ 1 min read ★ ] . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God—Romans 3:23 As his men, we’re called to be like Jesus. We’re commanded to love just like he does (John 13:34-35). That’s a tall order. It’s easy to feel...

What Moves Your Heart? [ 1 min read ★ ] . . . give, and it will be given to you—Luke 6:38 When we begin following Jesus Christ, he shapes for us new hearts—just as God promised for Israel: “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you...

Are These False Expectations Diminishing Your Happiness? Most people intuitively know that our expectations profoundly affect our life experiences. Yet even as believers, we simultaneously expect too much and too little. We need to discover what we should expect less of and what merits higher...

Get Finally Unstuck [ 1 min read ★ ] A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity—Proverbs 17:17 “I’ve got this.” It’s a phrase used often by men, in one form or another. We say it to ourselves; we say it to others. And, most times, we have got whatever...

How Small Gestures Can Improve Your Marriage Eileen, 53, and Jason, 58, have been married fifteen years and came to counseling to improve their communication and to stop bickering. Like many couples who I counsel, I asked them both what was working in their marriage and what areas need to be...

Trust No One [ 1 min read ★ ] The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts—Psalm 28:7 The Apostle Paul set a challenge before us: “having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). No small thing, that one. We...

The Night of the Long Knives In late June and early July, 1934, over three to four days, German dictator Adolf Hitler had as many as one hundred of his enemies, and some others, murdered. The slaughter began with former Hitler sidekick and supporter Ernst Roehm, leader of the SA (popular known...

5 Steps to Not Taking Things Too Personally in Relationships While it is natural to feel hurt when a loved one has done something wrong or said something offensive, taking their actions personally can prolong the process of healing and cause people undue misery. My first experience with...

Minimum Safe Distance [ 1 min read ★ ] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace—Hebrews 4:16 Have you gotten to where you stay at a “minimum safe distance” from God, for fear of what he might ask—what assignment he might put on your heart...

Emerging from Isolation [ 1 min read ★ ] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them—Matthew 18:20 Imagine, for a moment, a man ever isolated, living alone in the mountains, perhaps. Imagine him living a vigorous, adventurous, spiritual life, but...

Top 7 Bible Verses About Wrong Doing Here are seven Bible verses about doing the wrong thing. James 4:17 “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Clearly, James, the half-brother of Jesus, said that if we know someone who is in need and we turn a blind...

When You're Just . . . Done [ 1 min read ★ ] Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding—Proverbs 3:5 Is there any belief you’ve simply gotten tired of believing? Is there any belief you’ve held onto, stubbornly, for too...

Sacrifice Echoes Into Eternity The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34: 18 Ours is not a culture that is comfortable with sadness. Sadness is awkward. It is unsettling. It ebbs and flows and takes its own shape. It beckons to be shared. It comes out...