Pastoral Insights from a Reformed Baptist Perspective
In this day and age, many churches have spent a lot of time considering or debating, the question, "Which musical style is best for worship?" But I would like to pose a more crucial question regarding worship. Is God pleased with any of our worship, considering how sinful we are? Are even our best efforts … Continue reading Is Our Worship Good Enough for God?
Today I would like to recommend that the blog's readers check out the new Reformation City ministry. This ministry was begun by three young people who are seeking to use their God-given gifts and talents to share the Gospel and to reform the Church. Two of them, Dan and Laura Murphy, are a part of … Continue reading New Reformation City Ministry
In celebration of my wife's tenth full year of being cancer free, I am posting again the article I wrote about how God saw us through that difficult trial. Of course, the focus here is on my own struggle as her husband, but the article communicates a theology of God's sovereignty over suffering and trials that … Continue reading How the Lord Shepherded Me Through My Wife’s Battle With Ovarian Cancer (Reposted – 10 Year Anniversary)
A blessed Resurrection Day to all the blog's readers!
Jesus begins His final week of ministry by entering Jerusalem amidst a jubilant celebration. Multitudes greet Him, shouting “Hosannas” and waving palm branches in their hands, as He enters the city. For this reason, Christian tradition refers to this day as “Palm Sunday”—the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry. The fact that Christians through the centuries… via … Continue reading Palm Sunday: What Does it Mean? by Bob Gonzales
Here is the Contents, Foreword, and first chapter: Johnson, Jeffrey D. Pursuit of Glory (sample)
Introduction: As I studied this passage, I was reminded of a famous poem by Robert Frost: Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took … Continue reading The Narrow Way (Matthew 7:13-14 Teaching Outline)
About one year ago I was ordained by Grace Bible Church of Conway as one of the pastors. I have been a member here since 2011 and grew in service and responsibility over a few years before being ordained. I've learned a lot over the past year but what I've learned were not new concepts … Continue reading 3 Things I’ve Learned in my Pastoral Rookie Year.
Introduction: Advocates of “religious tolerance” – or as more accurately termed, advocates of religious relativism or religious pluralism – often cite the Golden Rule as an example of how all religions are essentially teaching the same thing. Of course, it is common knowledge that there are actually a number of ancient religions or ancient philosophers … Continue reading Matthew 7:12 – The “Golden Rule” as Uniquely Taught by Jesus (Teaching Outline)
If we grant the legitimacy and usefulness of a confession of faith, we're faced with two practical questions: first, what particular confession of faith should a local church or collective body of churches adopt? And, second, what type or level of confessional subscription should such a church or body of churches require of its officers … Continue reading Choosing & Using a Confession of Faith
