"It's one thing to tell sinners what they ought to do, and quite another to do it for them when they are helpless to do anything. . .Our sins were literally bled to death in the expiring death of Jesus Christ on the cross. . .The God-Man takes all the sin of His children and dissolves them into nothingness by the purity of His life poured out unto death." - William Still

Judah got his first buck today—a nice little 8 point!

The account of Israel being defeated by the Philistines—when they superstitiously carried the ark of the covenant into battle (1 Samuel 4)—teaches us that “God would rather suffer defeat than allow us to think that we can own Him.” — Derek Thomas The destruction of Jesus under the righteous judgment of God teaches us that He would rather suffer defeat in that moment than let us be dispossessed by Him.

"It has pleased God to give us some external symbols— water, and bread, and wine. They are so simple, that it does seem, at first sight, as if men could never have made them objects of worship, or used them as instruments of a kind of witchcraft. One would have thought that these symbols would only have been like windows through which men would behold the Savior, and draw near to him. Instead, some have never looked through the windows, but have ascribed to the windows that which is only to be found in Him who is behind them. It is sad, indeed, when the symbol takes the place of the Savior!" – Charles Spurgeon

I'm eager to be in worship. with the people of God at Church Creek PCA this Sunday. In the morning, I'll be preaching 1 Samuel 4 and in the evening, I'll preach Colossians 2:11-15. If you're in the greater Charleston area, we'd love to have you with us. church-creek.org/

I encourage everyone to listen to this sermon G.K. Beale gave at Church Creek PCA on Jesus as the last Adam and true Israel of God from the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. youtu.be/iNOeOgdRe6Q?si=fLvU…

I praise God for godly and wise elders. They sacrifice enormous time and energy caring for the needs of the saints. They sacrifice their lives caring for the flock. They are the unsung heroes of the church. Thank them, pray for them, and follow them as they follow Christ.

“Psalm 1 opens the Psalter with the Lord blessing man. Psalm 150 closes the Psalter with man blessing the Lord. In between these poetic bookends, the psalms address all of the vicissitudes of life – from the highest highs to the lowest lows.” - @hbcharlesjr

Anna and I hit an intense 5 mile hike down to Lower Whitewater Falls today. Hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains of SC and NC is one of our favorite things to do together. We spent time praying for friends and loved ones who are battling cancer or carrying heavy burdens, as well as for the many needs of the church I have the enormous privilege of pastoring. It was really Anna, me, and the Lord on the hike.

I love this so much. instagram.com/reel/Dc9B5jxtI…

It was the absolute best birthday I’ve had. Having Micah here would have been the only thing that could have made it better. Eli, Judah, Tommy, and I played 18 up in Cashiers, NC. I praise God for His mercy to me. He redeemed me and is sanctifying and preserving me. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

Judah is driving with me as we head to the Blueridge mountains. I’m playing a @davematthewsbnd show and breaking down the genius of Dave. It’s been nostalgically surreal listening to what I was I listening to 30 some years ago when I was his age! open.spotify.com/track/28M6W…

New audio and video of a sermon preached at Church Creek PCA in Charleston, SC: "Kingdom Calling" (1 Samuel 3) church-creek.org/sermons/ser…

This is a subject to which all Christians should give serious consideration. It is a pressing need for believers to learn how to care for those in the body who are dealing with comprehensive or chronic suffering. Karrie Hahn gives us a great deal of help in "Limping Heavenward."

In light of @Pontifex's take on the death penalty, I thought it apropos to repost this @Reformation21 article. Principles of biblical justice regarding the death penalty and the propitiatory death of Christ for our redemption are inexorable related. reformation21.org/retributio…