This article looks at the theme of being a Christian in the everyday practice of life in the workplace.

I think that one of the reasons many have difficulty feeling real joy is that we have too little awareness that the joy within the church has its own style. It is a different way of being joyful. 

In our time, the gospel is not hidden. Everyone knows it and everyone can know it. God makes no secret of it. For centuries already, Christ has been preached in all lands. In all the known languages, the Word prepares a way for itself in their words. Still, there was a time when the gospel was hidden. Men could vaguely be aware of it, but no one knew the truth about it. Prophets gave hints of it. They themselves only understood them in part. God let no one guess his secret counsel.

In a speech given by former Anglican archbishop, Rowan Williams, he called upon Christians in the United Kingdom and the United States to “grow up” and not to exaggerate by saying that they are suffering from persecution because of their faith. “Western Christians are not being persecuted, even though they attest to that at times. They are only experiencing a mild discomfort.” True persecution means, according to Williams, “bitter enmity, physical force and murder”. 

Storytelling is a way to transfer knowledge and to transfer the knowledge of happenings. What is special about storytelling is that you involve yourself. You can hardly tell a story and stay on the outside of it. It is often good to pay attention to the effect the story has on yourself. In other words: when you tell stories, you also convey emotions. You release something of your own identity when you are telling stories. Story telling is setting a relationship in motion.

Much can be said about the lifestyle of a household in Biblical times. The inquiry about the position of parents and children according to the Bible is a matter of norm. This is about the rules and norms of God’s revelation concerning the relationship between parents and children. What is of concern to us, is God’s original intent for this relationship.

How should we view the apocryphal books? This article looks at the difference between the canonical and apocryphal books.

An active, deliberate ending of our lives is a closed‑off route for us. Are there no problems then? Those are certainly there. I especially want to point out the fact that we are now able to sustain life for much longer, something that was not possible fifty years ago. The means to accomplish this were not there then. This life extension sometimes shifts to a delaying of death.

This article discusses the phrase “the state of justification” as it is found in the Canons of Dort, Chapter five, Article 6. This is part of the Canons’ bigger discussion on the perseverance of the saints.

This article looks at the experience of the various parts of the worship service.

What is Christ’s desire and intention with the Lord’s Supper? This article discusses different aspects of the Lord’s Supper.

In church, you may expect a timely sermon which, in its engagement with the Scripture passage, clearly shows how the eternal Word of God is applicable in that place and at that moment.

What place do the youth have in the sermon? This article engages with this question, indicating they ought to be addressed.

The spiritual purpose of fasting is about your relationship with the Lord. Fasting should be a sign of humility with repentance and dependence on the Lord. The practice of fasting may be both a personal or congregational humbleness and lowliness before the Lord. Read more about godly fasting.

What does the blessing in Numbers 6:25–26 mean when it makes double reference to the face of God? This article explains the meaning, also showing how in Christ God’s face has become even more clear.

How priestly are our churches? I was challenged by this question and I am laying it before you. The purpose is that we as churches will take a closer look at this question. Let there be an urgent prayer for the Spirit of Pentecost to make you and me into priests.