Jared ordered his mocha grande from the church's Jehovah Java coffee shop and headed into the sanctuary. He was looking forward to being back in church after missing several weeks. Worship always encourages him, and this week, he felt the need more than others because he had taken a few hits politically at work. He noticed an attractive woman sitting to his right. CLICK TO READ MORE
This morning, my waking eyes were met with stories of criminals attacking judges, sex workers bragging about 100s of clients in one day, and child trafficking. Some days, the dark depravity of the world is like a heavy curtain that drapes itself over everything true, good, and beautiful. One needs to look hard to find … Continue reading There Is Nothing More Beautiful Than the Praise of God
In our church services, we go through all the external bodily motions, but as to the prostration of the soul, we are, for the most part, oblivious and unconcerned. We think that we have done our duty to God if we have gone through the appointed external rituals, though our heart has not accorded with … Continue reading When Church Becomes an Empty Ritual
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!" - 1 Timothy 1:15 What a gospel this is for a poor sinner! It speaks of pardon, of acceptance, of peace with God, of full redemption here, and unspeakable glory hereafter! This glorious gospel proclaims a Savior to the lost, a Redeemer to the captive, a … Continue reading The Savior of Sinners
I am concerned that our preponderance of virtual activity affects us more than we realize, especially concerning the church. Context is crucial when it comes to worship; let me give an example. If I were sitting alone at my kitchen table and took a small piece of bread and gave it to my dog, it … Continue reading The Sacrifices of Virtual Church
Many preachers today seem to know our anxieties, worries, and depression. When they speak, it is as if they know what we’re going through. We hang on their every word with bated breath, for it seems that the “secrets of our hearts are disclosed” (1 Cor 14:24-25). However, many of these preachers describe our hearts … Continue reading Warning: False Prophets in Pulpits this Christmas
Aiden W. Tozer once said, “Christians don’t tell lies–they just go to church and sing them!” This is one of those quotes that jolt us to the core once it is properly understood. Without context, however, many people misunderstand what he is saying. CLICK TO READ.
After writing the first post in this series, the topic I discussed became real. An immunocompromised person who began attending our church in the past year got sick and, tragically, died. - CLICK TO READ MORE
This is the first post in a two-part series on church and health by Rob Golding, Pastor of First Artesia CRC. I may be a day late and a dollar short, but I have heard many people say that they are going to avoid certain gatherings due to the chance that they might get sick. … Continue reading What Are You Living For?: Exploring Church, Family, and the Threat of Illness
Who has the authority to determine how and when the Church will worship? That question is more penetrating than it first appears. It is not asking how your nation's government is structured or how your constitution is written. It is not even asking what your church believes. It is an ultimate question. Who has the … Continue reading The Essential Church Movie Review
The Fight of Faith 