I’ve always been fascinated by the turning points of history. Sometimes you know it when you are witnessing a turning point. They are usually events that grab your attention immediately, and you never forget where you were when you first heard the news. The assassination of JFK and 9/11 are two examples that come to … Continue reading Turning Point →

Following the vivid description of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus in the first part of Acts 9, Dr. Luke returns to the key figure and most prominent leader in the first half of Acts–the Apostle Peter. There could not be a greater contrast between Peter and Paul. One was the son of privilege with … Continue reading Peter: the Rock →

As we saw in Acts 7 & 8, Saul of Tarsus was a harsh persecutor of the early church. Luke describes men and women being dragged from their homes and thrown into prison. Clearly, with the death of Stephen, we know that life was no longer sacred to the persecutors. Saul was the face of … Continue reading When a Monster Becomes a Christian →

In Acts 6-8, Luke gives us an interesting look at the continual battle between the true believers in Jesus Christ, and those who are in it for their own selfish purposes. To begin, Luke describes the dramatic confrontation between Stephen, a true contender for the faith, and the religious leadership of the Jewish council, whom … Continue reading Contenders and Pretenders →

The R2R distinctive for this week describes our belief that all people are born separated from God by sin, but God in His love sent His Son Jesus Christ as their Savior. At First Family, we believe this, but unfortunately, there are many in the evangelical church today who do not believe this. Men like … Continue reading A Contender →

It’s a scene played out in homes across America every day: kids arrive home from school, scan the kitchen shelves and refrigerator, and then yell out, “Mom! I’m starving, and there’s nothing to eat in the kitchen!” Translate this into first world language, and what he means is, “Mom, I’m hungry, and there’s nothing that … Continue reading Persecution in America! Really? →