Homeward Bound

If you are an evangelical like me you have probably heard and used the popular slogan “It is not a religion it is a relationship” to describe the differences between Christianity and other works based systems. Unlike most every other religion, Christianity is unique in that it does not offer “salvation” as a reward for performance. “By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight.” We are saved by grace through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works (Eph 2:8-9). Jonathan Edwards once said so well: “There is nothing we contribute to our salvation but the sin that made it necessary.” Instead of a string of endless duties where we must obey or face the threat of exclusion and damnation, Christianity offers sonship and security to those who know Christ: those who are found in Him and born again. Furthermore the emphasis on relationship in Christianity is important and unique. It means we are not left to doing dry duties, No! We get to know ...

I recently read The Horse and His Boy and since I had long forgotten the plot and the conclusion, I enjoyed the whole thing as if it was the first time. What a brilliant, well-constructed story. It takes some time to get going but by the end the story fits snuggly like a glove, resolving every uncertainty and lose end in a work of pure Lewisian craftsmanship. On top of that, I believe it speaks directly to some issues in myself, namely a preoccupation with self with tendencies to self-pity. I was struck by the self-pity of Bree, the kidnapped Narnian horse who in the story is escaping homeward from the southern deserts of Calormen. He is a charger, a beautiful white war horse who has fought many battles, even earning acclaim for his feats in this foreign kingdom. But during the flight northwards to his homeland, in one instance he does not appear so grand. Bree and his company are attacked by a large lion and it is Shasta the young boy, not Bree the warhorse, who turns around to fa...

I have been trying to do some Bible memorization with my eldest son before bed. We started Psalm 23 last night which drew me to reflect further on what might be the most well-known Psalm of all. Like the Psalms do so well, chapter 23 provides a remedy for many of the issues we have in modern times: fear, panic, anxiety, hyper-activity, depression. Starting with the Shepherd and His relationship to the sheep, Psalm 23 deduces how this relationship transforms our life as well as out state of mind in the midst of varying circumstances. Because the Lord is our Shepherd we shall not want. He makes us lie down in green pastures and beside still waters. He restores our soul and leads us along the path of righteousness. Because He is with us, we will fear no evil in the valley of the very shadow death. His rod and His staff comfort us. In the presence of our enemies He prepares us a table. Spurgeon writes on this 5th verse: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...

Montana woke me up on May 6, 2021, at about 6:15, informing me that today was the day. She had called both the midwife and her mother, and the former was beginning her hour drive to come to our house. I got up slowly, like I usually do, thinking through everything I needed to do to prepare. This is our third child, so I have been through the drill before. I remember feeling excited, but not giddy. I went down stairs to my computer where I telework and told my supervisor that I will not be logging in today. My wife is in labor; the hour has come.   Montana and I had decided to do a home birth for our third baby. Our first two boys were born at the hospital, and both were great experiences. Our decision to make the change was in part due to COVID restrictions in our area. We had a lingering fear of the off chance occurring: that one of us would test positive on   the day of the birth and Montana would have to deliver the baby alone. More positively, however, we had heard glo...

Every once in a while you run across a book that makes more than a usual impact on your life. Whether it was the unique season of life you were in when you read it, or simply the superiority of its content when compared with others, this book for some reason left a marked impression on you, an impression you remember to this day. I remember G. K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy having this long lasting effect on me as did C. S. Lewis's The Abolition of Man and Puritan Richard Sibbes's The Bruised Reed . Not only were they each excellent books, but the unique moment of my life when I read them contributed to their impact. In many ways I was prepared for their teachings at the moment of my reading, and I believe God has used several, often long dead writers, to encourage and strengthen me throughout the last few years. I have recently read a book which I truly hope will have a similar effect on my life. The Sovereignty of God by A. W. Pink is a short book, unlike anything else I ha...

Ravi Zacharias has had a deep impact on my faith. I have listened to his broadcasts off and on for the past decade plus. When news came out several months ago that he was involved in some sort of sexual misconduct, I was shocked. When a more detailed, independent report highlighting the extent of this misconduct, manipulation, predatory behavior came out a few weeks ago--I was even more shocked. How can someone so firmly rooted in knowledge and the truth of God, be living a completely bifurcated double life? How does that happen? Here is an almost 10 minute  video I made on my youtube channel sorting some of this out. It is unscripted and a tad meandering, but I try to talk a little bit about the nature of truth, and call Christians (leaders in particular) to purity. This is a non-negotiable, and no amount of giftedness or dynamism can supplement its lack. It is okay to mourn when our "heroes" turn out not to be what we thought they were. I am not sure yet what I am going to...

Blog subscribers! Below are two links two recent speaking engagements I had this month: The first is at a local church in my area, Grace Chapel, and I was blessed to be able to do some pulpit filling as they await the arrival of their new pastor. I talked about the burden of Jesus Christ, and how living in his service will prove easy and light, for He is a gentle Master.  Grace Chapel Sermon Then I had the privilege to do a virtual chapel at my old Christian School, talking about the abundant life Jesus offers to us in John 10:10.  King's Christian Academy Chapel Over the past year or so I have been very impressed by the reality of God's grace and tenderness to us. The life He offers to us is the best possible life we can live, for He gives us the very best He can give. There are many things that are challenging in the Christian life and many lines in the sand which need to be drawn with regard to our culture. There are hard realities we need to come to terms with in Scripture...