You have probably heard of the recent judicial decision in California that declares that state's ban on homosexual marriage to be unconstitutional. Kevin DeYoung, pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing Michigan, wrote on his blog on the subject of the Court decision and gave these 5 applications that also apply in our situation: 1. We must accept that no matter how hard we try, some people will conclude we are bigots, homophobes, and neanderthals for thinking homosexuality is wrong. Our goal must not be to stop people from viewing us in this way. We can’t control perceptions....

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Attitudes, beliefs, and events in our country have concerned many of us for many years. The three areas that are most under attack in our country are the sanctity of human life in times of profound weakness, the marriage covenant, and religious freedom. Below is the text of the Manhattan Declaration written by Mr. Charles Colson, Dr. Timothy George, and Prof. Robert George. It has been signed by men and women of various denominations and groups,and is a call to stand firm in the Truth of Biblical Teaching whatever the personal impact might be. If you want to sign this document go the...

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I can’t remember anyone ever telling me what I was supposed to be doing during the Communion Service. When I was little I thought people were looking at the floor but didn’t know why. As I grew I figured out that looking down in church meant people are praying. Prayer involves thanksgiving so I assumed people were thanking Jesus for dying for them. Everybody seemed to know what to do so I decided it must be obvious. If it was obvious to them then I wasn’t going to look stupid and ask. So it wasn’t until I went to Seminary...

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The bulletin on the Sunday before we celebrate the Lord's Supper brings an announcement that we are to prepare our hearts for the occasion. So, what are we supposed to do? Are we supposed to read the Bible more, confess sin more, think more about the Cross, or something else? The Westminster Larger Catechism is helpful here when it reminds us in questions 161 and 162 that a sacrament is a means of growing in our salvation not because of any power found in the pastor or in the elements themselves. Instead, the working of the Holy Spirit and the blessing...

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We use the Apostle's Creed regularly in our worship as a reminder of the content of our Faith and of what we hold in common with all believers in the Church of Jesus. In his book, Our Reasonable Faith, Herman Bavinck gives some helpful insight into the significance of the Apostle's Creed which I believe will help make it come alive to us in our worship. This except comes from a section on the Trinity which is the primary teaching that separates orthodox Christianity from its substitutes. I have made a few minor editorial changes to help with understanding. Even so, you may want to read it...

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