Blog, Podcast, YouTube, and Books by Ray Burns
Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesFor some of us, technology can never fully replace the feeling of a book. However, there’s simply no denying that technology affords so much utility and convenience, normally requiring no more than a little space on our phones. The Olive Tree Bible app (iOS, Android) is one such technology, allowing access to millions of pages […]
Olive Tree Bible (app recommendation) Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 6 minutesGod very purposely calls Himself our Heavenly Father. He perfectly guides, matures, and disciplines us as a loving father should. However, far too many people imagine God is distant or abusive. Never because of how God has treated them, but because of the image created by their own distant or abusive fathers. It’s sometimes difficult
Loving God Despite an Abusive Father Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 9 minutes(This article also includes a podcast discussion. Click the play button below, or subscribe and listen on your Apple or Google podcast app.) Over time, people have had different ideas about God. Very rarely are they purposely malicious, but instead stem from a misunderstanding of Scripture and God’s very nature. In the past, we’ve discussed the
Why Open Theism Just Doesn’t Work Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 4 minutesMy sister got married this weekend. Everything about the wedding put Christ in the center, and it was amazing to see two people who have so purposely prepared to model their marriage after Christ and His bride. Something I hadn’t anticipated, however, was the wonderful conversations I’d have with other believers who had come to
The Blessing of Christian Conversation Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 6 minutesA dad is out shopping with his toddler. The toddler performs their job to perfection, grabbing everything in sight and letting the entire store know when they’re unhappy about Dad stopping them. Meanwhile, Dad is trying to keep calm, finish his mission, and get his child home for a much-needed nap. When he finally gets
Dad, Don’t Babysit Your Children Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesUnderstanding the worldview of a Muslim equips us to share the gospel at a much more personal level. While not knowing enough about a religion should never keep us from obeying Christ’s command to preach the gospel, God can use us to greater effect if we understand not only what we believe, but what the
What Do Muslims Believe? Part 3: Sharing the Gospel Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesIn part 1 we discussed how Muslims answer the 5 big questions about life. In this article, we’ll discuss some important things to know about Islam before moving on to sharing the gospel. Of course this list isn’t exhaustive, but it does feature some critical things to understand if we want to have a deeper,
What Do Muslims Believe? Part 2: Important Things to Know Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 6 minutesThis is the first article in our series that explores the beliefs of different religions. The goal here is not to fully explain Islam, but to give readers enough understanding of its origins and beliefs to present the gospel to a Muslim. In part 1 we’ll see how they answer important questions about life, next
What Do Muslims Believe? Part 1: Answering 5 Big Questions Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesWhen we look at the world, we are overwhelmed. We are surrounded by heartache and sorrow, swallowed up and barely able to breathe. Any attempt to find hope for a better tomorrow often leaves us even deeper in hopelessness. Yet for those in Christ, the momentary darkness of this world will make way for an
Looking Forward to Eternity Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 5 minutesA few years ago I found myself sitting in a grocery store’s restaurant at 5:30 a.m., eating breakfast and talking to my good friend about my latest crisis. It had nothing to do with drug addiction or anger. Instead, it was because of a sermon. I didn’t know my spiritual gift, and I was losing
When You Don’t Know Your Spiritual Gift Read More »