Posted by Ray Pritchard on 9.2.08 in Theology
An email arrived from someone who wonders if their past is so bad that God will not forgive them. Have they sinned so much and so greatly that their sin is quite literally unpardonable? The answer is not hard to find. There is such a thing as the unpardonable sin. Jesus spoke of it in Matthew 12:30-37. And in answer to the question, I can say with …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 8.30.08 in Devotional, Theology
For 40 years Rev. Jacob E. Eppinga wrote a column called “Of Cabbages and Kings” for the Banner magazine published by the Christian Reformed Church. He wrote his final column, at the age of 90, earlier this year. He went to be with the Lord on March 1, 2008. Knowing that he was dying of cancer, he summed up his faith and his fears and h…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 8.29.08 in Devotional, Theology
A friend who has gone through a hard time sent me a list of things he has learned about forgiveness. His list started me thinking about forgiveness. Most of what follows comes from my friend, but I have rephrased a few things and added a few items of my own. This is obviously not a comprehensive statement about forgiveness—just a place to beg…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 8.19.08 in Bible Study, Theology
Here is Part 2 of the Q&A last Friday at Living Waters: 7) How do you deal with someone who repeatedly asks for your help but seems completely closed to the advice you give? What do you do when it seems like they are coming not for help but almost using you as a confessional?The answer is, you continue for a while to give advice and pray that a…
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 5.20.08 in Current Events, Sermons, Theology
We have posted a new sermon called Be Still and Know. The sermon came in response to a question from a friend in China who wondered why God sent the terrible earthquake that took so many lives in the Sichuan province last week. As I considered his question, my mind was drawn to Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God. …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 4.8.08 in Theology
A friend asked me for some advice about how to speak at a funeral for someone you don’t know. That sort of thing happens to pastors occasionally. I can remember a few times speaking at a funeral where my first glimpse of the person was in the casket. Those situations put the pastor in a difficult situation because you …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 2.6.08 in Current Events, Theology
In a recent edition of Willow Creek magazine, Kevin Kelly tries to imagine the next 1000 years of Christianity. To put that in perspective, suppose we took a Christian in 1008 (maybe from Africa or Spain or India) and asked him to imagine what the church would look like in 2008. No matter what he said, he would be unlikely …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 2.5.08 in Theology
Here is the first question and answer from the Heidelberg Catechism, written in 1563:Question 1: What is your only comfort in life and in death?Answer: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious bloo …
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 12.24.07 in Christmas, Missions, Theology
I just read an inspiring meditation on Isaiah 9:7 called Immanuel and Islamabad. If you are feeling discouraged this Christmas season, read this meditation and rejoice that the Babe of Bethlehem is the one true King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And of his kingdom there will be no end.
Posted by Ray Pritchard on 12.20.07 in Christmas, Theology
The British weekly magazine The Spectator asked a number of notable people if they believed in the Virgin Birth. The answers tended to fall into three categories:Yes, I do believe it and here’s why.No, I don’t believe it and here’s why.I’m not sure or it doesn’t really matter.After reading the …
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