Happiness is rooted in circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is rooted in biblical truth - regardless of our circumstances. This is precisely why, incarcerated for his faith, Paul, while still languishing in prison, could write, "Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!" Make no mistake: the type of joy … Continue reading Joy vs. Happiness
Bonhoeffer
The Question No Christian Wants to be Forced to Answer
We’d love nothing more than to have our son, Jordan Watts, back. But, I remember something Jordan said in a video that was played at his Memorial Service: “If God were to take all my fingers away I would love him just the same.” (Jordan was an artist and his hands were his life.) Jordan’s … Continue reading The Question No Christian Wants to be Forced to Answer
Called to…..Suffer?
Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3; Amplified) Dr. Erwin Lutzer has been pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago since 1980. After listening to a sermon of his the other day on Paul’s “thorn … Continue reading Called to…..Suffer?
Costly Grace
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) "When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." That statement opens the introduction to Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s classic work, “The Cost of Discipleship.” For … Continue reading Costly Grace