A Letter to Young(ish) Christian Husbands & Fathers

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Zach Putthoff

Dear Brothers,

You have been on my heart for some time, which is likely because I am one of you. I am a relatively young man (i.e. under 40), who is also a Christian, a husband, and a father. You are my peers. And I am writing to you today, because seldom a day goes by where I am not reminded that we all have a whole lot to learn.

Let me share a little more about myself before I get to the reason for this letter. I am fast-approaching 39 years of age and have been married for nearly 19 years. … Continue reading

5 Ways Parents Exasperate Their Children

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Zach Putthoff

There is a simple and deadly serious command to parents, specifically to dads, found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians that I’d like to focus briefly on in today’s post. The verse is Colossians 3:21 and it reads, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart” (NASB).

So simple and yet so serious.

In this portion of Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul is helping Christians understand what it means to live under the Lordship of Christ in their earthly relationships, and at home in particular. In Colossians 3:17, he tells us that we are to do “everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,” and beginning in 3:18 he expands upon what he means by the word “everything.” … Continue reading

Books for Christian Teens

Posted on July 6, 2018 by Greg Peterson

I get a lot of questions about teenagers. It only makes sense, I am the pastor of student ministry at my church. The questions range from why I do what I do (I point them to my philosophy of ministry), to what am I teaching, to “how do I disciple my kids at home that will be a benefit to their spiritual growth?”

One of the top questions I get is, “what resources/books would you recommend for my teenager?”

My first response is always “read the Bible. It is God’s Word. They will get more from being committed to spending time in God’s Word (reading, studying, praying over, etc) than they will get from reading 100 books.… Continue reading

Schedule your Priorities

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Jason Vaughn

What is the greatest commandment? Jesus answers, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’” and “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (Matthew 22:37 & 39). Although the Pharisees tried to box him into a situational answer, to set him up for failure, [1] Jesus both corrects and dodges them pointing out the foundational reason for every commandment: devotion to the Lord.

Jesus answer addresses the true reason for every commandment: worship. The use of ‘love’ in this text, conveys the idea of worship and devotion. To live is Christ.… Continue reading

The Heart of the Vaccine Debate

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Abbi Smith

Have you ever sat around the table fellowshipping with people around you and someone brings up the popular topic of “whether or not we as society should endorse or fight against vaccinations for our children?” Often times the fellowship times turn into both sides of the debate taking arms against each other commencing with firing off facts and opinions or horror stories that start with,” Well my girlfriend said, “ or “ I read this one article.” For some reason this hot topic of whether or not vaccinations should occur has really influenced our society and even crept in the church setting and caused division.… Continue reading