When pain and faith collideThe one absorbs the other.But not without a shockThat shakes us to the core. We trust in our own strengthForgetting we are frail.Until that unplanned hourWe’re broken, hurt, and sore. It comes in many ways,But always ends the same.With perfect strategy,It brings us to our knees. Our minds become unclearWhen hit … Continue reading When Pain and Faith Collide
The following is an excerpt from a letter of John Berridge to a fellow minister who had recently injured himself in a bad fall. Dear Sir, I received your letter, and dare not say that I am sorry for your fall, nor indeed for any afflictions that God lays on His children; they are tokens … Continue reading Do Yourself a Favor; Read this Letter
Deep and abiding faith in God has the ability to look at the worst possible scenario and still see our Lord's goodness. From there, nothing we face can cause us to fear.
Our Lord had no need to undertake the bearing of the cross except to attest and prove his obedience to the Father. But as for us, there are many reasons why we must pass our lives under a continual cross… We readily esteem our virtue above its due measure. And we do not doubt, whatever … Continue reading Why the Lord Gives us Crosses to Bear
It wasn’t until my world started spinning out of control that my true constant became crystal clear. I had spent most of my life, including much of my life as a believer, aiming at moving targets. “Happiness is found in this direction” it would say, and then I would get there, and it would redirect, … Continue reading It Was Good For Me That I Was Afflicted
We live in a fallen world, and many people do not know what to do with their anger, hurt, sorrow, and grief. Much of it is churned into bitterness and spewed out on social media. Unfortunately, cultural Christianity has no place for biblical lament which is a proper response to such things. Even our funeral … Continue reading Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop [Book Review]
I recently had the privilege of giving an apologetics talk on the problem of evil. I was asked to address the following question. If your Jesus is so good, then why do good people suffer, and why does sin take control of the world, and why do the elderly get sick? The mp3 can be found … Continue reading Why Do Good People Suffer?
But they will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. 2 Chronicles 12:8 In this verse, we find the nation of Judah in a humbling position. King Rehoboam had only been king of Judah for five years, but in that … Continue reading When God’s Love Hurts
The sky has turned dark. It has not always been this way, but now it is frightening. Not long ago it was bright and sunny as was the disposition of my heart, but now the thunder crashes are similar to the war drums of an enemy telling me that I will never survive. When the skies were clear, I … Continue reading The Fight of Faith
The Prayer The daily battles never cease. Adversity is a companion I know too well. My strength is gone, and despair brings me low. I ask again for release from this, for I fear it will be the end of me. The enemy gathers to devour me, and their strength seems overwhelming. Lord, if it … Continue reading The Benefits of Adversity
