by Mark Shaw | Jul 7, 2011 | Church Life, Truth in Love Staff
There is a new language out today, especially in the South, called “Christianese.” Maybe you already speak it and just do not know it! Seminary students are infected with it like a virus. They argue the finer points of pre-millenialism and post-modernism...
by Mark Shaw | Jul 6, 2011 | Church Life
Cigarettes are said to stunt a child’s growth. One of the physiological reasons for that is that nicotine suppresses one’s appetite; therefore, a child who smokes will not be hungry, not eat as much as he should, and not receive important nourishment to grow. That is...
by Mark Shaw | Jun 24, 2011 | Church Life
NOTE: Jesus said in Matthew 16:18b: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” That is NOT the church I am critiquing in THIS post. Instead, I am critiquing American churchianity, the spectator sport of not participating...
by Mark Shaw | Jun 8, 2011 | Church Life, Truth in Love Staff
I know pastors who would NOT attend their churches if they were not the pastor! Isn’t that amazing? Some of these guys are only there either because they believe they are called there or they are simply in it for the money (which is really crazy since there...
by Mark Shaw | May 31, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those...
by Mark Shaw | May 29, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
We are so grateful for the opportunity to tell others about the vision of TIL on a national level through the new organization called the Biblical Counseling Coalition. Go to their website to learn more about how they are desiring to bring unity to biblical counseling...
by Mark Shaw | May 23, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
This passage of scripture deals with directing your heart and its desires away from drugs and alcohol (or whatever becomes idolatry in your heart) and towards righteous decisions of living for the glory of Christ. Proverbs 23:19-21 says Hear, my son, and be wise,...
by Mark Shaw | May 16, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
The biggest shift in Christian thinking is in the area of trusting God and doubting ourselves. Yes, I said DOUBTING ourselves! Before we were Christians, we trusted ourselves and doubted God but now we must reverse that ever so quickly. We must walk by faith not by...
by Mark Shaw | May 13, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
Proverbs 13:13 states: “Whoever despises the Word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.” – English Standard Version Here’s a great new song by Downhere about rediscovering God. The best...
by Mark Shaw | May 10, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
I remember my wife was teaching our family about Proverbs 10:4: “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” She was emphasizing to them that hard work of the diligent is what rewards a person and that people who are lazy will...
by Mark Shaw | May 6, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
I don’t think people realize how wonderfully practical the Bible is and how it speaks to such topics as co-signing for a near one (neighbor or friend) in Proverbs 6:1-6: My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a...
by Mark Shaw | May 4, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
Proverbs 4:5-9 states: “Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get,...
by Mark Shaw | May 3, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
My theme this month is the proverb of the day and since today is May 3rd, Proverbs 3:1 states: “My son, do not forget my teaching but let your heart keep My commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” (ESV) This...
by Mark Shaw | May 2, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
Proverbs 2:16-19 gives us a sure fire way to avoid adultery: “So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words, 17 who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; 18 for her house sinks...
by Mark Shaw | May 1, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
In the very first proverb, God sets the tone for the entire book with a purpose statement in verse 7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Do you fear the Lord? If so, that is the very beginning of...
by Mark Shaw | May 1, 2011 | Proverb of the Day
Every month so far this year in 2011, we’ve matched letters. For example, January was Jesus month, February was Family month, March was Marriage month, and April was Answers month. Now, in May, there is no matching letter for the theme I want to do so I am just...
by Mark Shaw | Apr 23, 2011 | Answers, Uncategorized
I love the ministry of the Word, especially in the biblical counseling room. Is preaching as effective as biblical counseling? Richard Baxter, a Puritan, stated that thirty minutes of private, pastoral conversation may accomplish more than 10 years of public...
by Mark Shaw | Apr 14, 2011 | Answers
So much in Christianity today is not based on Christ’s teachings as much as it’s based upon the ideas and theories of mankind. Colossians 2:8 states: “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human...
by Mark Shaw | Apr 2, 2011 | Addiction, Answers
What does the world say? The irrational behavior that I do MUST be compulsive– I see it destroying my life and the lives of the ones I love the most, yet I keep doing the same thing over and over. It’s GOT to be a disease beyond my control because I WANT...
by Mark Shaw | Mar 31, 2011 | Addiction
Tomorrow night, I’ll be speaking in New Jersey on the subject of addictions. One of the things we will likely discuss is the impact of an addiction upon a marriage. Addiction is a SIN not a disease as the world teaches. Often, a spouse caught in the trap of...
