Author name: Philip Conley

One of the peculiar things about growing up as a Primitive Baptist is explaining to someone else why we do things in church and why we don’t do other things.  When it comes to doctrinal precepts, there are clear-cut verses to describe election, predestination, eternal security, particular redemption, etc.  A simple perusal of passages like […]

There has not been a more asked question of me as a gospel minister over the years than, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  Answering that question must be done honestly but also circumspectly.  It is not always asked from the same place or for the same reason, which is why the answer

Culture today has a heightened state of depression, anxiety, and general malaise.  Part of the reason for this pandemic of sorrow is mismanaged expectations – or just improper expectations period.  When people expect things that are either impossible or generally unreasonable, the perpetual disappointment that they inevitably experience sets them back both emotionally as well

When we visit with our closest family and friends, we are generally more free to share our deepest emotions and thoughts.  It is a trusted group/audience that we feel comfortable “letting our hair down” and not playing things close to the vest.  There were times in Jesus’ pilgrimage here on earth that He shared things

There are moments in life when we do things not for our own benefit, but for the assistance of others.  Parents many times do things to benefit their children, and this not only doesn’t benefit the parent but can many times be a sacrifice.  So likewise, the perfect Parent gives His children things that benefit

One of the many things that happened as a consequence of man’s fall into sin is that patience, waiting, and being still do not come naturally.  Some of the richest scenes in life come when patience and stillness coincide with waiting.  Job said that he would wait all the days of his appointed time till

Things in this world tend to get undervalued or overvalued at times.  We oftentimes take something for granted until we’ve lost it, and at other times, we think too much of something until mortality shores up our priorities.  Something God’s children have historically undervalued is the power of prayer.  James tells us that it is

Considering the manifold mercies of God to His people, we could not begin to number or order them all up.  However, as I get older, one of the ones that I put more stock in than I used to is the fact of Him being with us.  Revelation 21:3 tells us that the “tabernacle” of

We think of things as valuable based on certain qualities.  If something is rare, hard to find/acquire, or easy to lose, we generally deem it valuable, whereas if it is common, easy to find, and simple to keep, we think of it with less stock.  However, one of the most treasured resources we have is

Outside of God, His nature, and character, I highly doubt any other supernatural subject has been discussed as much as the subject of angels.  Who are they?  What are they?  Exactly what are their bounds, form, appearance, etc. etc.?  Sadly, much of what people “know” of angels comes from lore rather than Scripture.  What most