In conversations I often find supposed "Christians" playing with the notion that there are other paths to God. Or, at least, He will accept us if we try really hard. Isn’t God gracious and forgiving? Doesn’t God believe in us? As if Christ came to set an example, and nothing more. He gave His life away for others, and that pleased God. So we need to serve others too. Do what Jesus would do. The problem with such reasoning is three-fold (at least): First, it makes Jesus merely a good person Second, it rests on the notion that we are good people too Third, it makes Jesus sacrifice...

Really, it is … over … in an instant. Happy New Year! Here’s to a God-centered 2009 — which will not be over in an instant, but will have 31,536,000 seconds to love, know and enjoy God — in loving people and serving the world. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The one-second holiday", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/12/31/the-one-second-holiday/" });

Celebrating 5 glorious years of marriage Five years ago today Kari Zyp and I exchanged vows, and then I got to kiss the love of my life for the very first time. What an amazing time it has been, my Sauce. We’ve had our adventures: moving 7 times, living in two states, both following the call to seminary as students, raising Dutch, continuing to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, and being able to know, love and enjoy Him oh so much more because of one another. Sauce, I love you! I told you back then that I want to plunge the depths of who you are, and that passion has not and will not fade. You...

Thank you to all who wished me a happy 30th. Finally my age matches these graying hairs, and perhaps the big three-oh will have some built-in credibility to match. (Somehow being only 29 is way different than being a mature 30 in some people’s eyes when it comes to pastoring — the difference between being in one’s twenties and thirties.) The life of one of my heroes, the late Robert Murray McCheyne, was cut short at only 29 years. (Well, he’s more alive than any of us these days, in the presence of Jesus.) At my age, I think about him and others like Henry Scougal quite...

"All of us get completely covered, from head to toe to teeth, in the dust of the cradle of civilization." - First Lieutenant Ted Janis, platoon leader of 3rd Platoon, Angel Company, 3rd Battalion, 187 Infantry Regiment of 3rd Brigade Rakkasans, 101st Airborne Division One of the best sports stories I’ve ever read: Infantry Hoops In Iraq Remember our troops and happy Memorial Day SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Hoops in the cradle of civilization", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/05/26/hoops-in-the-cradle-of-civilization/" });

My Love, You are the best mother ever and the joy of our home. Dutch can take a nap in peace right now because of your untiring labor of love. God’s grace is evident in every facet of your character and personality. Thank you for pouring out your life for us. Happy Mother’s Day! "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." [1 Thess. 2:7-8] SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title:...

 How great the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure. His love and just wrath mingled in the greatest event in history, the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. This is what God did in Christ: But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ...

Last year at this time Matt Perman of Desiring God gave a short list of various readings related to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, those two coming together as one in “The Greatest Event in History.” I agree. Furthermore, I don’t think I would be breathing right now if Christ hadn’t tasted death and risen again. And would have no hope, eternal or temporal. God did not spare His own Son but intentionally and freely gave Him up for the salvation of His people. He bids us come and experience His love. This weekend, may more people trust in Christ and experience God as...

“Jesus was dead, and I mean really dead, on a cross, but He’s not anymore.” That’s the description given by a 3-yr-old to his neighbors about why he was so excited by Easter. Read more… SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Jesus was dead… He’s not anymore", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/03/19/jesus-was-dead-hes-not-anymore/" });

Merry Christmas to all. I am continually challenged to consider the great humility and love our great God and Creator revealed to us in sending Himself, His Son, to be born a baby, live a sinless life, give Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, and rise again to declare His victory. One cannot possibly go overboard in considering the worth of Jesus! In considering Jesus’ Incarnation (God became flesh) and Advent (His first coming) I’ll point you to read and meditate on four short reflections from the staff of Desiring God. Four parts on the Incarnation: Advent and the Incarnation Jesus...