Misconceptions of Grace

Never before have I heard the phrase, “Can I have grace?” so often since becoming a dean at a Bible school.  And why shouldn’t I?  We all want grace.  We get pulled over for speeding, and we do everything in …

Don’t Be An Elephant, Girl! Take up your shield!

“Why can’t I get over this?” “What is wrong with me that I keep struggling with the same thing over and over again.  Am I an idiot or something?!?!” “This will never cease being a temptation in my life.  I …

Prophetesses: Leaders or Servants? Teachers or Messengers?

Miriam, Deborah, Anna, Huldah, Isaiah’s wife and Philip’s four daughters. Few women have caused more controversy and confusion regarding women’s roles in the church than these nine. What was the big deal about them?…..Well, they were prophetesses. Some  call them …

It Only Takes 5 Seconds To Get Right With God

“It takes 5 seconds to get right with God.”  I said as she stared at me blankly.  “5 seconds.  Not an hour, not a week, not a day, not 30 minutes, not even one minute.  Just five seconds.” It had …

Words Matter: Why We Can’t Recommend the NIV 2011

The most popular English Bible, the NIV 1984, has undergone a makeover and it’s not exactly a good transformation. This year, Zondervan released the new NIV 2011 which will completely replace the soon-to-be discontinued NIV 1984. This 2011 NIV is …

Throwing the Hierarchy Out with the Bath Water?

When I was growing up, I had the privilege of helping my family in an extraordinary task; we flipped houses. That’s right, six houses, one cottage, and one hotel, restaurant, and coffee shop. Flipping houses definitely taught us valuable life …

Our Mother Who Art in Heaven: Examining Rob Bell’s “She”

*Please watch the video at the above link.* more about ““She” Nooma Video“, posted with vodpod Recently, Rob Bell, pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, has caused an uproar among Christian circles for his book,  “Love Wins.”   He argues that a loving …