http://www.restoringgraceba.org/blog en-gb copyright 2026 - Restoring Grace Community Church restoringlife@hotmail.com Sat, 10 Jan 2026 23:00:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/dressing_appropriately Recently, a viral bruhaha emerged over a dress worn by a pastor’s wife and the question of its appropriateness. There were hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of people who weighed in with their opinions and feelings. What struck me, as I heard and saw the responses, was the number of positions of professing Christians framed more on emotions, visceral responses, and opinions than biblical instructions. The question then is, “What does God say in His Word—the Bible--concer...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:00:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/the_bible_and_the_immigrant The Bible and the ImmigrantThe Bible is clear concerning the issue of immigrants and their treatment. Regardless of the immigrant’s status, he or she is deserving of dignity, respect, and compassion, as an image-bearer of God. Deuteronomy 10:17-19 shows that God wants us, His people, to be people of justice and mercy. Moreover, we are to be hospitable to our immigrant neighbors.Yet, as Romans 13:1-5 reveals, we are to be subject to the governing authorities. As these authorities establish ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 14:00:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/the_word_of_god_vs_witchcraft The Word of God vs. WitchcraftSeveral years ago, my mother and I were having a discussion concerning professing Christians who practice witchcraft. She was pointing out the contradiction in people who simultaneously attempted to rely on power of God and the power of the devil. These practices range from reliance on horoscopes to full-blown involvement and preoccupation with witchcraft and other occultic practices. It also involves astrology, black arts, fortune telling, Ouija boards, Tarot cards...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 19 Jun 2024 17:00:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/the_battle_for_truth I am not sure when I became aware of this truth. It may have been reading an article or reflecting on some other philosophical or apologetic thought. It is, however, etched in my mind: the dominant battle in the 21st century is and will be the battle for truth!This is not a battle that has recently begun. It first appeared in the satanic conversation with Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). Throughout the epochs of time, this battle has continued to rage. Even within the pages of Holy Wri...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 21 Mar 2024 08:00:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/why_we_avoid_political_preaching Why We Avoid Political PreachingDaniel DarlingI’ve written on this issue before, but it’s probably worth revisiting in an election season. And new research has been released by Lifeway that affirms what I’ve always believed: generally Bible-believing pastors shy away from overt political endorsements and preaching politics in the pulpit.I wrote a piece for Relevant not long ago on this subject in which I said this:[To preach] is a humble and holy task because the people who att...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 10 May 2023 10:00:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/dealing_with_grief_and_loss Dealing with loss and grief can be so debilitating! In this life, we will have tribulations. Yet, the knowledge of this truth does not make the experience any less difficult. People are routinely incapacitated and weakened by the onslaught of sorrow that accompaniesthese forfeitures and hurts. Whether it be from the death of a loved one, the disorienting demise of a relationship, the loss of vitality that is often associated with aging, sickness, or disease, and loads of other impairments, the g...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:00:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/i_thank_god_for_dr_charles_stanley Yesterday, on April 18, 2023, Dr. Charles Stanley died! One of my dear friends informed me of his passing by text message. Both of us had read many of his books together and were tremendously blessed through them. One such book was The Blessings of Brokenness by Dr. Stanley. I don’t have an exact recollection of how and when I was introduced to his writings. What I do remember is that the titles of the books claimed my attention, because they spoke to a real need in my life at the time. Hi...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:57:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/not_only_on_easter The Resurrection of Jesus:(Not Only on Easter)The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest and most important event in the history of mankind! The powerful truth is that “God raised Jesus from the dead” (Acts 13:30). Through this profound reality, God’s promise was kept, death was eradicated, forgiveness is made available, and justification made possible. The far-reaching and on-going results of the Resurrection demand a response that is not limited to Easter Sunday (Resurr...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 05 Apr 2023 10:53:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/gods_use_of_betrayal_and_abandonment Betrayal and AbandonmentJesus’ journey to the Cross involved betrayal and abandonment! The perpetrator of this betrayal is none other than one whom Jesus has chosen. The betrayer, Judas, one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So, they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over (Matthew 26:14-16...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:05:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/lenta_journey_with_jesus The 40-Day Lenten Season is a time of penance and charity, during which we engage in intensified prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (charity). Lent is 40 days long as a reminder of Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness, and His defeat of temptation (Matthew 4). Our Lord’s encounter is our example too, as we face the inevitable challenges of temptation and sin. As the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sins, we must confess and repent of our sinful habits and inclinations, to foster an obedie...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 21 Feb 2023 10:00:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/your_schedule_as_an_aid_to_your_spiritual_life How can I find time to put one more thing on my schedule? Sometimes, these are the words, thoughts, or feelings of someone who has been challenged to share the Gospel, pray more, or even study and read the Word of God more. What do you do, when you feel as if there are not enough hours in a day or a week to get these important activities done? Sometimes, the issue may be that we need to revisit our priorities, be more disciplined in the execution of our scheduled or planned activities or be awar...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 20 Jan 2023 14:00:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/technology_and_christian_formation Technology can be a blessing or a bane for Christian formation! It can be blessing in that it allows increased convenience and efficiency concerning the activities of ministry and Christian living. Moreover, it affords Christians the opportunity to increase their Gospel reach. The “uttermost parts of the earth” is now being accessed just by a click of mouse or the press of a key. Through technology, we are in contact with the nations in our neighborhood as well as the nations across ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 20 Jan 2023 10:00:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/repeat_after_me Recently, I heard one of my colleagues provide one of the most profound summations of the current cultural crusaders’ attempt to establish a new orthodoxy concerning gender and sexuality. It was “repeat after me”! With these familiar words, often used by educators, she distilled the essence of this movement. She rightly pointed out that those participants in this crusade often utilize assertions rather than truth or facts. For them, truth is established by whatever they declare...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:00:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/thanking_god_for_dr_martin_luther_king_jr What God did through Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deserves our affirmation, celebration, and appreciation. God used him to prophetically call a nation to follow their own ideals of equal justice under the law for every person, regardless of color or creed. Standing in the tradition of Old Testament prophets like Amos, Dr. Martin Luther King, pointed out the sins of bigotry and the dehumanization of people of color since the formation of the United States. The sins of the country were a giant blot...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 16 May 2022 11:00:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/karine_jeanpierre_to_celebrate_or_not_to_celebrate The appointment of Karine Jean-Pierre as the first Black White House press secretary creates a dilemma for many Christians. Being born in Martinique in 1979 to Haitian parents is a cause for celebration. Notwithstanding, the moral dilemma remains. The question is, “How do we celebrate the appointment of the first Black press secretary of Haitian descent and yet not be viewed as supporting an unrepentant lifestyle that is clearly contrary to biblical teaching and Christian morality?” ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 05 May 2022 10:00:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/what_dont_say_gay I must admit it! At first, I was troubled! It seemed foolish to me that someone in the State Legislature would sponsor a bill outlawing the ability to say “Gay”! “Don’t Say Gay,” it turns out was a label given to the proposed Bill by those in the media who were against its contents. Upon a closer examination, it turns out that this was a dishonest attempt to cast the proposal as something it was not. I discovered the truth after reading the Bill for myself and not d...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 18 Apr 2022 10:00:01 -0500http://www.restoringgraceba.org/toward_a_definition_of_man_and_woman Recently, I was watching the United States Senate’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson. She was asked a very simple but profound question: “Can you provide a definition for the word woman”? I understood Judge Jackson’s reluctance to provide a direct answer, because she would have been walking into a legal and political minefield. Notwithstanding, the question from Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee had tremendous socio-cultural and theo...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 28 Feb 2022 11:00:01 -0600http://www.restoringgraceba.org/a_church_member_but_not_a_christian Do you know that a person maybe a member of a local congregation, been baptized, and still not be in a saving relationship with God? How is that possible? you might ask. Many times, it is due to a misunderstanding of salvation. Some people think that baptism is all that is necessary to be saved.Although baptism is important and was commanded by the Lord Jesus Christ, there is something that must occur prior to water baptism. At other times, some people feel that if I simply join, visit,or period...READ MORE by clicking on the title above.