A recent devotional with the team at Church and Family Life where I answer the question, “How would you explain the attribute of God’s omniscience to an 8-year-old child?”

From last Lord’s Day Sermon on 1 Timothy 1:1-17, titled “The Gospel”.

Listen to the whole sermon here.

Recently I sat down with Eric Conn of the Hard Men Podcast to discuss the importance of family worship, its theological basis, and practical ways to implement it in your household.

Listen to our conversation here.

Sign up for the opportunity to win a free copy of “Family Worship” here.

After a 10-hour red-eye flight from Chicago to São Paulo, we arrived safely at our hotel in Brazil called Golden Tulip (not Dutch!), caught up on some rest and took a walk just as the sun was going down at 5:30 p.m. (its winter here though 70 degrees!). Pray for us as we begin a lengthy 3-week, 5-conference itinerary tomorrow of speaking a few dozen times with the Queen speaking 5 times to women.

I am grateful to receive Reformation Heritage Books latest new title that is newly typeset and well edited by Gordon Keddie: “The Glory and Fullness of Jesus Christ: In the Most Remarkable Types, Figures, and Allegories of the Old Testament” by William McEwen (1735-1762; 335 pages). Speaking of this remarkable and insightful classic, Sinclair Ferguson states that on the subject it addresses McEwen’s book reminds us “that often the old wine is best.” I highly recommend this gem.

Learn more here.

Out of esteem for God, we should treasure the Word in all the forms it comes to us, especially when it is preached. The good we receive from the preached Word refreshes our souls like the dew that fell with the manna. The church needs, in this desperate hour, not just faithful preachers but faithful hearers and receivers of the Word.

Learn more about “Thriving In Grace: Twelve Ways the Puritans Fuel Spiritual Growth” here.

Yesterday was a full day, preaching in our own church in Grand Rapids in the morning and for Immanuel Fellowship in Kalamazoo in the evening. After the morning worship, we had a family from Texas—Diego and Nedelka with their five children (photo 1)—over to our home for a few hours over our noon meal and great fellowship. Nedelka has recently translated the Queen’s new book on teaching children how to work into Spanish. It was a very special time, packed with stimulating and godly conversation—including having a great time with their son Caleb who sat next to me imparting his knowledge and asking questions that sounded like twice his age (photo 2)! After the evening service in Kalamazoo, we had a blessed time of fellowship for another few hours with the pastor of Immanuel Fellowship, Rev. Bill Boekestein (photo 3), a Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary graduate and good friend, who was commemorating his 43rd birthday yesterday, together with his family and a number of friends from the church (photo 4—by the way, the brother on the far left will soon be teaching his first course in our new Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary Biblical Counseling degree that commences this fall, D.V., and his wife on his right is expecting a 5th child today!). Christian worship and Christian fellowship and Christian family—what a blessing they all are!

From the Lord’s Day sermon on Mark 7:24-30 titled “The Trial and Triumph of Faith in Christ”.

Listen to the whole sermon here.

This afternoon we visited the open house of our dear friends Jake and Lona, commemorating their 50th wedding anniversary, with 3 children, 23 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. (Two of their children have 8 children each, and the third has 7 children!) Jake was the first person that I gave some private theological lessons to 40 years ago while I pastored in New Jersey, so I call him my first “theological student.” He later served as a mission worker in Bolivia for some years and then more recently as a ruling elder of our Heritage Reformed Congregation here in Grand Rapids. (His son, Jacob, Jr., now serves as elder in his place.) I spoke a message to this dear couple from Psalm 71 which focuses on God’s righteousness, and when I was done Jake spontaneously stood up and recounted to his whole family some of the Lord’s leadings—both spiritual and providential—in their lives. It was a sweet time for us all. Pray that God will continue to bless them and their large family.

Please pray for this dear engaged couple, Austin and Felisse, who hope to be wedded soon; I had the privilege this afternoon of completing pre-marital counseling with them. Pray that they will cultivate a marriage lived in the childlike fear of God and to His glory.