Christian Living / Spiritual Growth

  • Vanity Fair by Derek Thomas

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    For John Bunyan, a Puritan to his fingertips, the Christian life was an experience of conflict and tension with this world. Imprisoned for upwards of twelve years, he experienced firsthand the world’s hostility. Cheerful and sanguine by temperament, his …Read More

  • Following Christ by Mark Dever

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2005

    Have you ever been tempted to surrender control of your life to any of Christ’s enemies? May 30 is Memorial Day in the United States. This month we remember those who’ve fought to establish and defend the freedoms …Read More

  • The Lost Art of Discernment

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2006

    The publication of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown has highlighted a great need in our generation. That such a poorly written work of fiction containing, as it does, such invention, distortion, and deliberate deception should cause mature Christian …Read More

  • Progress Redefined by Burk Parsons

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    The world measures success in terms of that which is tangible — by what is bigger, faster, and by what draws the most attention. For many people, success is defined solely by numbers and circumstantial outcomes. True success, however, cannot be …Read More

  • In the Dungeon of Giant Despair by Andrew McGowan

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    At one point on their pilgrimage, Christian and his companion Hopeful stepped aside from the true Way, into By-Path-Meadow, because it looked easier and seemed to be going in the same direction as the Way. Soon they realized their mistake …Read More

  • In Word and Deed by Kevin Struyk

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2005

    Recently there was a community-wide garage sale at my apartment complex. I love garage sales. It gives me a chance to meet all kinds of people and find great deals on “junk.” But after this past week’s shopping experience …Read More

  • The Pain and Beauty of Confession by Gleason Archer Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2005

    Children are big sinners, they are just small in size. Recently I was watching my wife’s grandchildren play together (I have a personal aversion to being old enough to have grandchildren). Her grandson was playing with his younger sister …Read More

  • Pure Religion by Mark Dever

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2005

    The resurrection day of Jesus — the first Easter — was no merely private experience of Jesus. In space and time, the body of Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified, dead, and buried, was raised to life again. Amazing! And what else …Read More

  • The Constancy of a Pilgrim’s Life by Ligon Duncan

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    It has been said that one hallmark of the Puritan view of the Christian life was the emphasis placed on being “constant” (or being steady and unchanging). Remember how John Bunyan puts the challenge to us to learn from the …Read More

  • Consistent Service by Kevin Struyk

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    Over the last couple months I’ve been extremely busy. Like most American’s today, I am driving around in my SUV from one appointment to the next; attending church functions, get-togethers with friends and family, all the while tending …Read More

  • The Power of His Glory by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2006

    You want to know what your problem is? You don’t love Jesus enough. I know this not because I know you, but because I know me. I’ve got the same problem. My wife has the same problem, as …Read More

  • Lighting the Way: The Didactic Use of the Law by Robert Letham

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2011

    In Reformed theology, the law has been seen as the guide for believers in the conduct of their lives. John Calvin described this as its principal use. In this sense, we are talking about the Decalogue — the Ten Commandments — and …Read More

  • The Best-Laid Plans by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2009

    To suggest that wisdom is always balanced seems to me to be a bit, well, unbalanced. Whoever first uttered the words of wisdom, “moderation in all things,” should, I believe, have healed himself. All things? Isn’t that a bit …Read More

  • The Imitation of Christ by Scott Seaton

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2005

    “My ministry is to teach refugee families to read.” “I lead children’s Sunday school.” “I’m on the missions committee.” “I serve at the clothes closet once a week.” “I really don’t know what my ministry is.” These …Read More

  • The Bond of Love by Keith Mathison

    FROM TABLETALK | July 2009

    We shall benefit very much from the Sacrament if this thought is impressed and engraved upon our minds: that none of the brethren can be injured, despised, rejected, abused, or in any way offended by us, without at the same …Read More