Category: Spiritual Warfare

Weighty Thoughts: On Depression

May 31, 2024

This week a PGA golfer was found dead in his home by suicide at the age of 30. He had battled depression and anxiety for years, being quite open about his struggles. I have also faced recurring bouts with depression and anxiety. I call it a “dark cloud” that occasionally settles over my thoughts and emotions, blocking out the light and leaving me in the shadows. Psalm 139 can help us through the darkness and back into the light. … More Weighty Thoughts: On Depression

An Appeal for a Clear Conscience

February 16, 2024

This exposition of 1 Peter 3:18-22 emphasizes a spiritual battle between good and evil forces, urging Christians to be aware of this cosmic struggle. It highlights the role of Jesus in overcoming evil and calls for believers to resist being manipulated by worldly powers. The text also stresses the importance of having a clear conscience before God, rather than pursuing selfish desires or political victories. … More An Appeal for a Clear Conscience

Lies About Freedom, Sex, Truth & Culture

November 5, 2021

John Mark Comer, in his book Live No Lies, leads the church and pastors like me into the necessary conversations about what’s really underneath all the other cultural conversations and debates. John Mark embodies three of the main values and goals of Kingdom Harbor as he attempts to give Christians 1) a robust Biblical theology, 2) pathways for soul formation, and 3) Jesus-shaped cultural commentary. … More Lies About Freedom, Sex, Truth & Culture

The Enemy of Our Soul

August 12, 2020

“Every step closer to my soul excites the scornful laughter of my devils, those cowardly ear-whisperers and poison-mixers.” -C. G. Jung “We are not unaware of the Devil’s schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11). In 1978, spiritual writer Richard Foster wrote: “In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep … More The Enemy of Our Soul

Q&A: Why do prayers go unanswered?

April 30, 2019

Repost from 2018. -JB “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, TEACHING in the synagogues…and he HEALED every kind of disease and illness” (Matt 9:35). My sermon text for this Sunday is Mark 1:29-39 which displays Jesus’ powerful healing ministry, first with Simon’s mother-in-law, and then “the whole city was gathered … More Q&A: Why do prayers go unanswered?

Driftwood: A Psalm

August 21, 2018

The fog is heavy and blinding. The accusing voice is loud and convincing. The waves crash against my ramshackle frame. The wind tosses my beleaguered self to and fro. I’m driftwood, water logged yet still afloat. I need the Sun to burn away the fog. I long to hear the Good Shepherd’s Voice. I listen for … More Driftwood: A Psalm

My Annual Halloween Rant

October 25, 2017

The cute little ghosts and goblins, witches and vampires knocking on your darkened door with disappointment that you’re not home are NOT the evil we should be placing in the crosshairs of our spiritual warfare offensives.  Doesn’t the Bible itself warn us that “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light”?  So, why do some Christians get so bent out of shape over these cute children disguised as angels of darkness? … More My Annual Halloween Rant

When Darkness Wins a Battle, We Still Win the War

May 24, 2017

Suicide is an all too common thing these days — especially among adolescents and younger adults. I thought I’d repost an older piece from around 2009 for a Christian perspective on such tragedies. Some of these words also give perspective on the evil of recent events. -JB The forces of darkness are always around us.  Most of the time, if … More When Darkness Wins a Battle, We Still Win the War