Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4 ESV) Always rejoice? Always? How is it possible to rejoice even in the most difficult of times? For the believer in Christ, I want to argue that this is essential. And I want to show that what makes it possible is the phrase … Continue reading Rejoice in the Lord Always?
Ten Gospel-Centered Books on Marriage
According to Ephesians 5:22-33 and 1 Peter 2:13-3:7, God created marriage to be a sweet picture of the Gospel in action. Therefore, the goal of biblical counseling with married couples is to, by God’s Spirit, point them to the Gospel and its magnificent implications for marriage. In that regard, I highly recommend and use each … Continue reading Ten Gospel-Centered Books on Marriage
Helping the Student Who Self-Injures
Self-injury (sometimes called "cutting") is the intentional infliction of injury to self without the aid of another person for the purpose of venting anger or self-justification. The intent is typically not suicidal. The self-injurer wants to live, but is simply trying to cope with extreme self-hate or anger. Although cutting the skin is the most … Continue reading Helping the Student Who Self-Injures
The Explicit Gospel
Do People Truly Understand the Gospel? As a biblical counselor in private practice in the Bible belt, I have the privilege of extolling to individuals, couples, families, and teenagers every day the beauty of the gospel of Christ and its profound, life changing implications for their lives. And, sadly, what I am learning is that … Continue reading The Explicit Gospel
The Tomb Is Empty!
In my previous post, What is so "good" about Good Friday, I listed a few of the things that Scripture says were accomplished by Christ's death on the cross. But I also acknowledged the centrality of the resurrection to Christianity. Our faith is worthless if Christ is not alive. Instead of evidences for the resurrection … Continue reading The Tomb Is Empty!
Please Save! From What?
On that first Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem to cries of, "Please save!" ("Hosanna!"). (Matthew 21:1-11) Within days, many of those same people were crying, "Crucify him!". (Matthew 27:22-23) The palm branches that they waved at Jesus were symbols of military victory and nationalistic power, but Jesus rode in on a donkey - a … Continue reading Please Save! From What?
This is a review of one of my favorite books on the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. I am reblogging it this year for Easter week. I hope you enjoy it.
Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, by one of my favorite New Testament scholars and theologians, Dr. D.A. Carson is a great read for Holy Week, or anytime. Dr. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School since 1978, has penned over 50 books. In Scandalous, Carson has written a work on the cross and the resurrection suitable for individual or small group study, as well as meditation and reflection on the central events of our faith. He has written with characteristic depth of insight and wisdom. The chapters of the book are actually a collection of sermons preached by Dr. Carson at Mars Hill Church’s Bible Conference in 2008.
One of my favorite chapters of the book, Chapter 4, is an exposition John 11, Jesus’ raising of Lazarus from the dead. Carson, in reference to Lazarus of Bethany in John 11:3, and other passages…
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Sex and the Supremacy of Christ
If you only read one book on the Christian view of sex, please read Sex and the Supremacy of Christ. Compiled from sermons delivered at Piper's 2004 Desiring God National Conference on this topic, Sex and the Supremacy of Christ utilizes a wide variety of contributors to develop the ideas that the Bible has a … Continue reading Sex and the Supremacy of Christ
Awakening to the Gospel
Ray Ortlund begins his foreword to Jared C. Wilson's Gospel Wakefulness like this: What is the spiritual future of our churches? If our future is going to be better than our present, we have to change. How does change happen? Not by our own brilliance or willpower. Not even by agreement with the gospel. We … Continue reading Awakening to the Gospel
God, Marriage, and Family
God's gracious plan to make His character and glory known though the institutions of marriage and family is under cultural attack like never before. Pastors' and biblical counselors' offices are filled daily with families struggling to find their way. Kostenberger's first edition of God, Marriage, and Family was the most extensive work to date on … Continue reading God, Marriage, and Family
Soul Care Blog 