Articles & Meditations
Articles & meditations on God’s Word, Christian living, current events, and other topics.
Worship 101: A Practical Theology of Music in the Church
The question of worship music in the church has been called "the worship war" for a reason. In this first article of a new series called "Worship 101," we look at some ground-level principles from God's Word that help give us a biblical starting point on this tough subject.
War of Words & the Lose-Lose Language Battle, Part 2: Fruit
Words continue to be misused and weaponized in our society. Things are increasingly not what they actually are, but what people say they are. What are Christians to do about this disturbing and dangerous trend?
Reforming Halloween
What are we to do with Halloween as Christians? Is it sin…or not? Unfortunately, many believers are often too caught up in the controversy of Halloween to see the real opportunities there are to redeem the day for the cause of Christ.
How Christians Should Vote
In part 1, we looked at how American Christians should understand and think about the vote. Here in part 2, we'll talk about the practical nuts and bolts of what it means for Christians to vote according to biblical principles.
Lyrical Expositions: “Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor” by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell
Meditations on the modern hymn "Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor" by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell.
Common Grace in Blue
As Christians, how are we to understand the role of government in our lives, particularly that of the police? We must find our answers not from the media or public sentiment, but from the very Words of God himself.
Do Not Be Carried Away by Strange Teachings: A Letter to a Friend
Hebrews 13:9 tells us 'not to be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.' How do we obey this command? Here is some advice given to a friend.
How does God Want My Life to be Different as a Result of This Sermon?
It is estimated that you will listen to 3,000 to 7,000 sermons in your lifetime depending on how long you're a Christian. So how has your life changed as a result of the thousands of times you have sat under the faithful preaching of God's Word?
War of Words & the Lose-Lose Language Battle, Part 1: Roots
Much of the tension in our society today centers on certain buzzwords with new ones rapidly emerging all the time. As Christians, we need to clearly understand the true nature of the conflict as well as what we are to do about it. In part 1 of this series, we'll look at some of the roots that underly the conflict.
BLM, Discernment & the Devil’s Dictionary
Black Lives Matter is language that everyone should affirm. But does BLM as an organization reflect the ideals that appear to be conveyed in the words? In these turbulent times, it is crucially urgent that Christians be discerning.
The Preacher vs. the Pope: Scripture and Authority
Evangelicals claim that the man of God preaches God's Word with authority, but also that he possesses the capacity to explain it in a way that the typical Christian does not. So how is this different from the Roman Catholic teaching that the Church alone has the authority to interpret Scripture?
Should Christians Vote?
In unprecedented times in which concerns over voter fraud, gerrymandering, and a misunderstanding of the electoral college, many Americans have become disillusioned about the idea of voting. What should Christians make of the vote?
Lyrical Expositions: “I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow” by John Newton
A look at the song entitled "I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow" by pastor, writer, abolitionist, and shepherd among shepherds, John Newton.
Our New Brand & Why It Matters
An explanation of the new Firm Foundation brand, what our new logo means, and why it all matters.
Lyrical Expositions: Art, Music & God’s Truth
What is art, and what does it do that's different from other forms of communication? What does that have to do with music in the church? A short introduction to our upcoming series, "Lyrical Exposition".
Worship: What Is It, and What Isn’t It?
Jesus said that true worshipers of God worship "in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:24). What does that mean? And just as importantly, what does it not mean?
Prayer Pointers from a Prophet (Part 3)
Daniel trusted God. We see that clearly when we look at his Scripture-saturated prayers, his humility before God, and his willingness to wait on God's perfect timing.
What Is a Person? We Simply Don’t Agree.
The conflict in our day between individual freedom and group identity is not a conflict of politics or left vs. right. It is a conflict between two opposing and irreconcilable understandings of what a person is.
Prayer Pointers from a Prophet (Part 2)
Biblical prayer involves different aspects or elements of prayer. In part 2 of a 3-part series, we look at praise, confession, and intercession in the prayer life of the prophet Daniel.
How Do You Talk About Yourself?
If you belong to Jesus, you’re not who you say you are, or who you feel like you are, or who you think you are, or who you want to be, or who your natural impulses compel you to be. You are who God says you are, and you need to be habitually saying what he says about you.
The Coronavirus Pandemic: An Apostolic Perspective
God's Word isn't an encyclopedia for every problem we might face, but it does provide a timeless grid through which we can process and correctly respond to every situation in life—including the coronavirus pandemic.
Prayer Pointers from a Prophet (Part 1)
God wants and commands us to pray, but on his terms and not our own. So what kind of a person has the ears of God when he or she prays, and what kinds of prayers does God want to answer? Few people answer these questions for us better than the young prophet Daniel.