Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.  (1 John 4:7-8) We all want to experience intimacy with God. We speak to him in prayer, and we listen for his voice as we study his Word, hear sermons, and consider the counsel of fellow Christians. But along with talking or listening to God, there’s another component to spiritual intimacy: loving others. When we express Christ’s love for the those easy to love and for those hard to love, our hear ..read more

We know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. (Rom. 8:28-29 BSB) We can throw the words of this verse around with casual ease, and not understand the richness or seriousness of its meaning.    Laura Story’s song “Blessings” includes these lyrics: What if my greatest disappointments Or the aching of this life Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy? What if the trials of this life The rain, the storms, the ..read more

Excitement builds this time of year as elders from across the PCA anticipate gathering for our annual General Assembly this summer in Richmond, Virginia. This year’s General Assembly will be a first in the history of the PCA because it is a coordinated effort among four different presbyteries. The local host committee includes representatives from Blue Ridge, James River, Korean Capital, and Tidewater presbyteries. All these members volunteer their time to provide the best possible experience for commissioners, exhibitors, and guests. Anyone who has attended a General Assembly unders ..read more

His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isa. 9:6) There are times when we all could use some good counsel — someone on our side who can understand our needs. In Scripture, Jesus is called Wonderful Counselor, but translators could just have easily rendered the phrase, “He will be a wonder of a counselor.” What does a wonder of a counselor do?  We seek a counselor because we desire good advice. But that advice can only come when the counselor understands us (perhaps better that we understand ourselves) and reveals a path to help and h ..read more

Photos by Anne Keegan. On April 21, First Presbyterian Church of Tuscumbia, Alabama, celebrated its 200th anniversary. The weekend celebration was one of its largest gatherings in the church’s history. The sanctuary with seating for 300 was filled to capacity. The festivities included a hymn sing led by Daniel Cason, pianist at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, and Sunday worship Ligon Duncan preached on the weekend’s theme verse, Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory … .” Daniel Cason leads a hymn sing The church particularized on April 13, 1824, with 13 charter ..read more

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Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you (1 Pet. 1:3-4). A while back, I was invited to a very fancy party. I was feeling out of place amid the high-society crowd in their tuxedos and black ties when a young man in tattered jeans, flannel shirt, and hiking boots strolled over to me and struck up a conversation. I enjoyed the opportunity to converse with some ..read more

The disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it [a demon] out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matt. 17:19-21). An old story tells of two widows living together in a cottage at the foot of a mountain. Soaking rains loosened the soil on the mountain’s slope, and a huge boulder threatened to roll onto their home. So, the women prayed that God would anchor the stone ..read more

Photo by Anna Zakharova on Unsplash If you look around your congregation and observe a swelling sea of silver, you are not alone. According to a 2019 report by Census.gov, 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 each day, and by 2030, “all baby boomers will be at least 65.” A FACT study revealed that in congregations across various denominations, 33 percent of participants are 65 or older. Our people are aging and approaching the last chapter of their earthly lives. Ministry leaders must help our people to end well: to face the reality of decline, dying, and death while preparing for glory spiritually, pr ..read more

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Rom. 13:1) Let’s face it, some of God’s rules are easier to follow than others. When God says, “You shall not murder,” most of us rest easy, knowing we’re probably not in danger of violating that one! But submitting to some of God’s other rules can challenge us. Consider how you feel about: “Pay to all what is owed,” or “put away all anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth,” or “let every person be subject to the governi ..read more