Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,and Christ will shine on you. (Ephesians 5:14) With this poem, Paul grounds the often-quoted marriage instructions of Ephesians 5:22–33 in the transformative power of the gospel. The gospel rouses sleepers and quickens the dead. It calls those trapped in darkness into the shining light of Christ, where, for…
Category: Health
The Rare Courage of Real Friends: Why Love Will Sometimes Wound
If I had to do what Bilbo Baggins did that day, I have wondered if I’d have had the strength and courage to do it. And I’m not talking about the fire-breathing dragon, or the gigantic, bloodthirsty spiders, or the caves filled with goblins. The demise of Smaug, it turns out, wasn’t the end (or…
Missed appointment turns into divine appointment.
Missed appointment turns into divine appointment. Posted by appolus on July 30, 2023 A few Friday’s ago I had a dental appointment for a cleaning at 4pm. I have not had my teeth cleaned since last November due to the fact I had my hip replaced in December. My specialist told me that from now on,…
Can I Still Have Joy in Seasons of Doubt?
Audio Transcript Welcome back on this Monday, the final day of July. Last time, on Thursday, we looked at God’s joy, and how his joy becomes our joy by the Holy Spirit. It’s a really key episode: APJ 1962. This week, we continue on the joy theme, but we add another theme to it: the…
Where Does Mission Happen? How the Church Wins the Lost
In your mind, what are the most appealing aspects of our churches for nonbelievers? Is it the personal invitation? The welcoming and thrilling atmosphere? The uniqueness and oddity of Christian worship? When it comes to corporate worship, I’ve been a bit of a nomad. I grew up a missionary kid, and now have served both…
The Pro-Child Life: Three Ways We Love the Littlest
Ever since Eden, God has given children a crucial role in the coming of his kingdom. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring,” God told the serpent (Genesis 3:15). And so, ever since Eden, there has also been a long and desperate war on children. The…
His endless favor.
His endless favor. Posted by appolus on July 28, 2023 Cry out you heavens and sing O mountains For the Lord sustains you from inexhaustible fountains He comforts His people and has mercy on the afflicted He is never wrong and never contradicted High above the trees in desolate heights He warms us with His…
What Is Wrong with Philosophy? Colossians 2:6–10, Part 2
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.…
The Good Pastor: A Man Who Changed My Life
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7) I grew up in a mixed denomination in Sri Lanka and was often exposed to liberal preaching. But my mother, a convert to Christianity, drilled into her five children…
Can You Still Be Persuaded? Why Wisdom Remains Open to Reason
In his essay “The Trouble with ‘X,’” C.S. Lewis describes that person who makes our lives difficult. Who is it that gives you regular grief? Maybe it’s a spouse or a coworker or a fellow church member. Sometimes a friend, seeing us look “glum,” will probe us until we reluctantly open up. On such occasions…