Should you take your child to a funeral? Conventional wisdom would say no. Parents are supposed to provide positive experiences for their children and protect them from dark realities, right? And a funeral (if we even call them that anymore; “memorial service” sounds less ominous) are certainly a dark reality. But while the impulse to protect or shield our children can seem normal or wise, the wisdom of Scripture suggests an alternative to our conventional assumptions....
Pastor, if you are anything like me, you get pumped for Christmas. My advent season always starts off on a note of optimism. You are hopeful that the neighbors you’ve been inviting to your church for months finally come to one of your Christmas Eve Services. This could be the year when all those PTA relationships that your wife has been cultivating might bring some new families through the door. Christmas for me has always been synonymous with hope (especially as it relates to church life and ministry)....
As a woman who serves in full-time vocational ministry I consistently talk with women who are broken and hurting. Marriages are struggling, women are gossiping, children are rebelling, sin is persisting...the list goes on. I consistently find myself thinking, “I just can’t keep up.” There are so many needs that I often come home at night feeling overwhelmed and confused about how to use my time most effectively for God’s kingdom....
We live in a day and age where many assume that if you are ministering well in a small church, it won’t stay small for long. Many see small churches as a stepping stone or a low rung on a ladder that must be climbed up for “bigger” or “better” or even “greener” pastures. I don’t buy it....
It's finally here. We're thrilled to unveil the new and refreshed site design for The Gospel for OC. ...
Romans 1:16 has always been one of those verses that calls for a particular pause in my life. I know the God I believe in, and I am overwhelmingly thankful for my new life in Christ. And yet there is often a conviction in not responding to others in a way that truly reflects the joy that has welled up in my heart....
Most of us, at one point or another, have pointed to 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22 zealously declaring we should be men after God's own heart just like David! This is a mistake....
Grace lovers everywhere, hear this: God’s grace brings about obedience. Not only that, but our joy is wrapped up in this divinely empowered obedience....
Many have sought to write off the fear in this passage by calling it “reverence” for God, and by calling reverence for God “respect.” If that’s the case though, why tremble? I have never seen a person tremble out of respect, but I have seen many tremble out of fear....
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