Blog, Podcast, YouTube, and Books by Ray Burns
Approximate Reading Time: 7 minutes(This article also includes a podcast discussion. Click the play button below, or subscribe and listen on your Apple or Android device) No matter how you spin it, salvation isn’t fair. On one hand, many feel it’s unfair that some go to Heaven while others don’t simply because Christians responded to the gospel. On the […]
What Happens to People Who Never Hear the Gospel? Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 6 minutesAs Christians, what we believe to be true puts us against the vast majority of the world. Everyone believes something about truth, yet few have the God of the universe as their source of discovering it. That’s why we need to be ready to answer questions not only about sin and salvation but about everything
65 Theology Questions People Will Ask You 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.) Take a moment and ask yourself this question: what is the goal of a parent? That’s no simple question because the answer is rooted in our worldview. For any parent willing to
The Most Important Parenting Question I Ask Myself Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 7 minutesLooking up to believers in our lives isn’t always a bad thing, but it can be. Last week we looked at how the strengths of other believers are a blessing and encouragement to us. However, our sinful hearts can take the blessing of having mature believers in our lives and make it about us, stirring
(Spiritually) Keeping Up with the Joneses – Dangerous Comparisons Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesMany of us have “that Christian” in our lives. They’ve been saved for decades, perhaps even as long as we have, and their knowledge and passion for God is at a level we could never obtain. We feel a sense of admiration for them, but also a tinge of jealousy because we want to be
(Spiritually) Keeping Up with the Joneses – The Blessing of Examples Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 5 minutesWe all have an idea of our perfect Bible-reading time. There are many factors that play into it, with each giving us a sense of peace and satisfaction because it’s exactly what we want. Ask yourself a few of these questions about your own ideal time: What time of day would you prefer? Where would
Are You Willing to Read Your Bible Poorly? Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 9 minutes(This article also includes a podcast discussion. Listen on your Apple or Android podcast app.) My last article was a tough one, taking a very heavy and honest look at my own mental health history and trying to understand that my problem, at the root, was spiritual. Psychology could only look at surface-level symptoms, but
Christians and Psychology (Part 5): Finding the Better Solution Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 6 minutesIn 2019, I’m almost hesitant to write an article like this. Much of Christian writing mixes spirituality with self-help, making a pseudo-gospel where Christ exists so we can be better people. But after yesterday’s bigger topic of why we blame others for our failure (link), it seems important to also discuss some more practical reasons
3 Reasons Not to Blame Others Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 6 minutesNo one likes failing. It’s embarrassing, frustrating, and often makes us feel like we’ve wasted whatever time we’ve invested. All of that is much worse, however, when it’s someone else’s fault that we failed. Whether it’s in business, competitive sports, or in our own lives, it’s so often someone else’s fault that things don’t go
Why Do We Blame Others When We Fail? Read More »
Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesYesterday’s article was pretty heavy on top of being a fairly long read. Today I’d like to go a bit lighter and share a moment of theology we had with my 11-year-old daughter, Emma, and why it encouraged me as her father. We are enrolled in a church homeschool program where kids can go and
Kids Say the Most Theological Things Read More »