Is It Really Essential To the Christian Life? There are thousands of self-help books on the market today. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands that have been written throughout history. Add to that the numerous current media options like blogs, videos and podcasts… There is no shortage of information to help us live a supposed better life….
When Biblical Truth Is Being Altered. Let’s say we’re in a situation where Biblical truth is being shifted and debated to the point where the church is at risk. We know we must take a stand and we’ve prepared ourselves spiritually to take that stand. But how do go about taking that stand? What should a stand for…
When The Church Strays From Truth? Who will people listen to? Can anyone in the church take a stand? Who will people listen to? Who will have a voice when a world that denies the truth slips into our churches? What kind of person is able to stand against such quarrelling and debate, as found in…
What’s the point of speaking up? When alternate teachings and debates enter into the church, why bother saying anything at all? Why should we take a stand when Biblical truth is being altered or ignored? Look at 2 Timothy 2:14-18. “14 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about…
When Do We Draw the Line? I was travelling on a plane recently. I found myself sitting beside a man who wanted to make small talk. Soon enough, he asked what I did for a living? I told him that I pastored a church in Whitehorse. His eyebrows rose. Throwing out the “P” word usually leads…
Planning To Rest. A couple of weeks ago I took a week off. My timesheet may reflect a week of vacation, but for me it was a week of sabbaths. And I planned it that way. The word sabbath has its root in the Hebrew word, “shabbat“. Scholars believe this word is “…derived from the verb…
Personal Life Update: Let’s save the ministry update for later, and focus on the most recent (and exciting) news: Introducing Mark Henry Norton, born at 7:03 AM on Tuesday, April 12th; weighing 7lbs 14oz and 20 1/4″ in length. We just arrived home from he hospital this afternoon. Mom and baby are doing excellent. Both are happy and…
Investments of Time Bring Returns of Blessing. Last week I wrote a lot about the investments of faith that people have made into our lives. These investments come from our ancestors, grandparents, parents, mentors and many other people, willing to invest in our walk with Christ, producing returns of growth. That considered, I’d like to share a…
Investments of Faith From Multiple Sources. A couple of days ago, I wrote about the investments of faith that our ancestors and grandparents have placed into us. But let’s remember that before they were grandparents, they were parents. “5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice…
Look To the Future. As Paul sits down to write his second letter to Timothy, we get a sense that he’s in a contemplative state. He’s in prison, knocking on death’s door, and deeply misses his pastoral apprentice, who’s become like a son to him. “3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors…
A Snapshot of 2 Timothy. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been studying, preaching on and posting from 1 Timothy. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and learned as much as I have. Today, we move into Paul‘s second letter to Timothy. In the first 5 verses, Paul gives this introduction: “1 Paul, an apostle of…
One With Eternal Significance. In 1 Timothy 6, Paul issues the following charge: “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate…