-
Whitney: The Good, The Bad & The Gospel
Read more: Whitney: The Good, The Bad & The GospelOn Saturday, celebrated singer Whitney Houston was found dead in her Beverly Hilton hotel room—her body submerged in bathwater, bottles of prescription pills close by. The story is still developing, and like many celebrity death tales, will probably remain steeped in scandal and speculation. In the meantime, there are some theological takeaways. Death has a…
-
Salvation in Space and Time
Read more: Salvation in Space and TimeAsk a Calvinist when he was saved and he might take you back—waaaay back—to “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). Nice one! Five points for being profound. But we Calvinists need not always rewind so far. Truth is, there was a time when we were not Christians. When we were dead in our…
-
I’m Happy for You (Really!)
Read more: I’m Happy for You (Really!)One night a few years ago, I was reading through Romans and stumbled upon an extraordinary command from Paul’s pen: Rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). I’d read it before, even quoted it, but something stood out this time. Struck by its simplicity and its strangeness, I considered this verse a challenge—a serious, sin-killing…
-
Letter to Myself at 15
Read more: Letter to Myself at 15Dear Bryan, You’re probably at the piano, writing songs about things you know nothing about, like love and loss. Or doing vocal warm-ups so you can audition for that blasted show choir. (Don’t bother. You won’t make it until your senior year, and when you do, you’ll become a bigger nerd than you already are.)…
-
What to Do With Dreams
Read more: What to Do With DreamsThere was a time when dreams carried weight. God spoke to people in their sleep, sometimes sending angels into a prophet’s unconscious with words of warning or future wonders. Now God speaks to us in a better Way (Hebrew 1:1-2). Because we have God’s word and the revelation of his Son, the living Word, we…
-
A Heart for Haiti & God’s Glory: Interview with a Missionary
Read more: A Heart for Haiti & God’s Glory: Interview with a MissionaryThis week marks two years since a massive 7.0 earthquake surged through Haiti, leaving millions homeless and tens of thousands dead. Survivors could hardly breathe a sigh of relief as they faced disease, debris and aftershocks. The streets were soon lined with bodies. Refugees scrambled for clean water—a rarity even before the quake. Newly leveled…
-
Be Who You’re Becoming
Read more: Be Who You’re BecomingIt’s a new year, which means millions of people like you and me are taking time out for some self-reflection. A long look in the mirror—both literal and metaphorical—to find and fix our flaws. When I look in the mirror, past the fingerprints and flecks of toothpaste, what strikes me are the physical signs of…