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I get excited when I read Acts 16:1-4 because it gives me a picture of how the older generation in the church is supposed to train up the younger generation.  It is thought that Timothy was probably under the age of 30 when Paul decided to take him along on a missionary journey, but through the letters 1 and 2 Timothy, we know that Timothy was truly mentored by this ... [Continue Reading]

If we're saved by faith, then why does James say that faith without works isn't real faith?  Aren't those two thoughts contrary?  This is the typical place where legalism hits the church: "James apparently says that you have to do good things to get to heaven, therefore I earn my way to heaven."  While a lot of people might believe ... [Continue Reading]

There's something remarkable about a man who can live through being stoned, especially since the purpose of stoning was to end a life, and the people whom Paul irritated wanted him dead.  How is it that they left the scene with Paul still alive?  After all, they thought they were dragging his dead body outside of the city.  How is it that, after being ... [Continue Reading]

The whole story of Stephen is pretty fascinating.  After he was stoned to death for proclaiming the Name of Christ, Paul (known as Saul at the time) led an effort to wipe Christians from the earth by storming into people's houses and put people in prison.  The crazy thing is that, in spite of the persecution they were facing, Christianity grew and each day ... [Continue Reading]

We live in a culture where people are very spiritual.  There is a strange curiosity with the invisible world of spirituality, and many people search high and low for "spiritual" experiences.  Often when considering a set of beliefs, an individual will pick and choose from several world views in order to determine exactly what, for him or her, is ... [Continue Reading]