What is Look at the Book? You look at a Bible text on the screen. You listen to John Piper. You watch his pen “draw out” meaning. You see for yourself whether the meaning is really there. And (we pray!) all that God is for you in Christ explodes with faith, and joy, and love.…
Category: Health
Christendom is compromised.
Christendom is compromised. Posted by appolus on September 2, 2024 A Ms Barnett argued, at the University of Virginia in 2008, that “Dietrich Bonhoeffer saw clearly what the cost of compromise is, what the cost of complicity is. He understood something about failure, about what happens to the human soul when backbone dissolves, about what…
How to Find the Meaning of a Bible Verse
Audio Transcript Today’s Labor Day for us in the States. We’re taking a break from our work. But we can still use the day to learn new skills, specifically to become better Bible readers. Of course, we have dozens of episodes covering a host of very practical tips on overcoming the challenges of studying the…
The Marvelous Mundane: Embracing the Slow Work of God
The young mom is alone with her infant, covered in sweat, urine, and drool. Life feels unremarkable and repetitive. Another load of laundry waits impatiently. The dishwasher begs to be unloaded. Another diaper cries to be changed. The early years of parenting can feel like emptying a bathtub with a teaspoon: it takes far too…
Ten Sweeter, Stronger Looks: How Examining Self Illuminates Christ
“For one look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ!” This memorable line from Robert Murray M‘Cheyne (1813–1843) has drawn many Christians out of the cellar of morbid introspection. Some of us once lived in that cellar — bent down double, curved concave, scrutinizing, analyzing, paralyzing. For every one look at Christ, we took ten…
Our Most Important Citizenship: Four Checks for ‘World Christians’
“Embroiled in petty priorities.” It was a devasting observation, and I resonated with it. I came across these words recently from an evangelical statesman saddened to watch some Christians “responding with increasing nationalism, sometimes with almost frightening ethnocentrism.” They are “caught up in a flag-waving nationalism,” he said, “that puts the interests of my nation…
Peace Beyond Performance: Unshakable Joy for the Ups and Downs
Which is closer to the center of your life as a Christian: what you’re doing for God, or what God has already done for you through Jesus Christ? Which one grounds your identity more deeply, affects your mood more frequently, rouses your passions more highly? Your answer to these questions will deeply shape the stability,…
When the weakness of man collides with the power of God-Increasing our capacity.
When the weakness of man collides with the power of God-Increasing our capacity. Posted by appolus on August 29, 2024 It is not that men are inherently weak, it’s that’s God is inherently all powerful. The strongest man that ever lived, whether in body or mind or spirit, finds his proper state before and all powerful…
What Is ‘White-Hot Worship’?
Audio Transcript ‘White-hot worship.’ What is it? Pastor John likes to use the phrase. And for those of you from a certain charismatic background, it’s a phrase that carries all sorts of unintended baggage, things Pastor John doesn’t intend by it. So, what is ‘white-hot worship’? Lisa asks the question today: “Pastor John, hello and…
The Weary Missionary: Four Ways We Endure Discouragement
Most missionaries get extensive training before beginning cross-cultural ministry. They read missionary reports and biographies. They may take short-term mission trips or vision trips. They often attend Bible college or language school or other similar programs. They know many things as a result of all the training and preparations. And such knowledge is valuable (Proverbs…