briandainstg

REGRETS I DON’T WANT TO HAVE ON MY DEATHBED

God wants us to think about the shortness of our lives (Psalm 90:12; James 4:14). He wants us to ponder eternity (1 Pet. 1:3-9). I’ve been doing more of that lately, and as I’ve pondered, I’ve jotted down some reflections. More specifically, I’ve written down regrets I don’t want to have on my deathbed.

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THE DECEIVING POWER OF BEAUTY

Many of you know I like the game of golf. This past weekend was enjoyable for me because one of golf’s major championships was being played in my own state: the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, WI.  I realize many of you probably find golf to be a complete snore. That’s OK. For…

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SITTING ON A GOLD MINE

Have you ever had that dream where a relative you didn’t even know you had dies and leaves you some money? Maybe that’s just me. Well, imagine that happened. But for a variety of reasons you never really look into it because you assume it’s going to be just a few bucks. When you finally…

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PRIORITIZING OUR OUTRAGE

There’s lots to be outraged over, that’s for sure. Have you ever stopped to think about whether or not our outrage is prioritized correctly? What do I mean by “prioritized correctly?” In an emotionally-driven society, it can be tempting to make our emotional reactions inerrant (i.e. without error). Implicitly, we are often told our emotions are…

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SUFFERING GRIEF AND YET PROTECTED?

“This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power…” (1 Pet. 1:4b-5a)

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THE ATROCITIES OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Watching Planned Parenthood executives sipping wine while discussing dismembered baby parts has reawakened many in this country to the barbaric and sinful practice of abortion. So much has been written on this that I’ll refrain from adding another voice to the conversation and instead link to some enlightening articles addressing this injustice.

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IS YOUR FAITH REAL?

“…you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trial. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith…” (1 Peter 1:6b-7a) Why do we face trials? The Bible has numerous ways of answering that question. Sometimes it’s because God is exercising fatherly discipline (Hebrews 12). Sometimes it’s due to consequences…

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE GOSPEL AND RELIGION

The gospel is different than any other religion or worldview out there. How so? “Religion” says, “I obey, therefore I’m accepted.” That is, when I morally or spiritually perform well, God will bless me and reward me with a good life and even heaven. The “gospel” says, “I’m accepted through the life and death of…

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CORONAVIRUS: IF GOD, THEN WHAT?

As I write this, there are 125,081 cases of COVID-19 and 4,590 deaths from it and the numbers are sure to climb. Italy is on lockdown. Airlines are canceling flights. Events have been postponed. It is dominating the news cycle. As Christians, how ought we to process this? 1) Remember death I know, I know, this…

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