Preamble: July 19, 2024 was the eve of our departure to India from the US after a month with our children and their families.  That morning our son, Deepak, 41 years old, began his day as he did three times a week with gym and devotions with neighborhood Christian friends who met next door to their house in Cheverly, MD. 

The early Reformers, such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox, faced persecution. Luther went into hiding, Calvin fled France, and Knox’s opposition imprisoned him. Hundreds of other Protestants and church leaders also faced the same fate as English Reformer Thomas Cranmer, being burned at the stake.

Everyone, it seems, has something to say about something – or someone. And what they have to say isn’t pretty. But must it all be said?

 “Mom!”

Following that shrieked exclamation, many a fault (real, fabricated, or imagined) has been charged to a sibling or a friend or a puzzled pet. It is inherent in the sinful nature of man – seen most cutely, if not most acutely, in children – to point out the shortcomings of others.

Virtually Alone? by WRF Member Leah Farish, MA, JD

Occasionally I have the privilege of surveying church congregations to find out how to improve ministry.  In surveying the women of a PCA church recently, I felt the most intriguing response was the answer to this question:

The foundation of the Protestant Reformation laid upon the inerrancy and the divine inspiration of the Scriptures. Historian J.H. Merle D’Aubigne wrote, “If there is no Word of God in the world, there is no salvation,”[1] adding, “Without this holy, this living Biblicism, there cannot be a saving communication of eternal truth.”[2]

Note: This article was originally posted on April 20, 2013. 

It seems that the Lord is constantly making promises to His people.

Back in the Dark Ages, when I was a young Christian, one of our most frequently-sung hymns was “Standing in the Promises.” 

We have all been troubled by stories from those who have been abused or betrayed by the church. Sometimes these anecdotes stymie us as we try to share the gospel.

On September 7^th many friends around the globe saw in the news some of the images of the sea of people protesting peacefully in many major Brazilian cities over aspects of the political turmoil that has been brewing in that nation. Some were particularly impressed with the crowd that took over certain vast open spaces near the federal buildings in the heart of Brasília, the capital.  Having spent my early teens in that city, I had a sense that the masses were even larger than what the images might suggest. 

I once had a family visiting for lunch, and their little girl came into the kitchen and asked what we were having for dessert. I said, “Caramel ice cream.” And she said, “Caramel ice cream? That’s my favorite!” I was impressed that she knew what it was. I gave her a serving, she tasted it, and said, “Wow! I’ve never had my favorite before!”

I once started a list with just the title, “What I accomplish on the Sabbath” —and those words lay on a big blank page.

Actually, that captures most of my point.  At least in the world’s eyes, Sabbaths don’t accomplish very much, and I think that’s fine.

Recently we prayed for several of our hospitalized friends suffering from Covid.  After days of struggling with the disease they succumbed one by one.  We actually thought that some of them would pull through since we were getting frequent encouraging updates, but our hopes were dashed when we heard of the passing away of our dear friends. 

In a previous blog, I have tried to present reasons why and how we should love those with whom we disagree.  I have suggested that, on the model of how Jesus loved us and this even includes those whom we think are sinning.

But there are some biblical cautions about this kind of love and these must be considered as well. [However, it is intentional that I am identifying only two ways NOT to love while I listed three ways TO love.]