I have been reading through the prophet Jeremiah and specifically the book of Lamentations. Its a thought provoking, convicting, and prayer enabling study as Jeremiah views, experiences, and warns about the judgment of God against his faithless people.

All of Israel’s institutions had failed. Sin abounded causing the corruption of the offices of King, Priest, and Prophet. Jeremiah’s hard task (more…)

The atheist would argue that the devastation in Japan is yet a further “proof” of the non-existence of God. They would argue that if God is a god of love he would not allow such a terrible and unloving event to occur.

There are several erroneous presuppositions in such a line of thinking. God has revealed himself in his creation and in his word as being characterized by more than love. The true God is an eternal, unchangeable, and infinite God in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. God’s word and his creation reveal that he is justly angry, even wrathful, towards the ungodliness of humankind (Romans 1:18-21). So, more than a mere expression of love is at work in the events of our day. (more…)

I am preaching through the gospel of Mark and in chapter nine, Jesus prophesies a second time about his pending death and resurrection. The point added is that Jesus understood his coming violent death at the hands of violent men as ordered by the plan of God. The disciples came to this conclusion to in Acts 4:25-28. Jesus then warns his disciples about being concerned about their greatness, their rights, and their standing. He taught them to be his disciples that they should be last and servant of all. For Jesus and his disciples, for God and his kingdom, the way to glory is by the suffering of the cross.

Jesus’ death by crucifixion is not an example of how to live as a Christian. His life and death is truly a substitutionary one for the person who believes in him. Jesus lived the perfectly obedient life required by the law for his people. He died the death required by law of God for sinners such as us. All this purchases eternal salvation and life for those who believe in Jesus. (more…)

The latest crisis is a regional one, the threat of Asian Carp to Great Lakes sport fishing. It is reported that there seems to be no way to stop this foreign invasion and if these fish gain access to the waters of the Great Lakes all sport fishing and related business is doomed! Scientists no doubt see a potential impact to native North American fresh water fish. But like “climate change” or “swine flu” the potential is magnified into a catastrophe of epic proportions. Why all this fear? Where is the American “can do” optimism? Whether from the left or right political spectrum the specter of fear is raised by unparalleled crises in our time.

I think this loss of the American optimism is in large part due to our loss of faith. America was greatly influenced by a Christian world-view at its founding and for the first 150 plus years. You cannot read the history of this land, the proclamations of its governors and presidents, and the development of its institutions without seeing the vast influence of a belief in the providence of God. Reverence for God begot an optimism that God was in control of all events for good. The fear of God meant we didn’t have to fear every event we couldn’t control. Indeed, we didn’t believe man was in control but we believed in “acts of God.” We believed in a positive future because we believed God had a purpose and history moved forward to that purpose. (more…)