Daniel Darling, author, pastor, speaker - Page 268 of 270 - Conversations on Church, Community, and Culture

Its All About Christ

January 1, 1970

What do you believe exactly? I get that question a lot as I'm out and about in the community. People ask me what our church believes, what we teach, what we do. Most people, especially those who don't attend church and don't consider themselves too religious have a kind of vague notion as to what churches do. I typically give them this answer. "Check our middle name." We're Gages Lake Bible Church. That is to say Gages Lake preaches, teaches, and applies the Bible to life. We believe the Bible to be the written revelation of God to man. We discussed this a few Sundays ago in our message, "Why We Believe What We Believe - About the Bible." Well, saying we believe the Bible is a great answer to the "what do you believe question." But its not the whole answer. Because if you could boil down Christianity to one singular question...

Remembering on Veterans Day

The Bible says it like this: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." – John 15:13. In other words, if you want to see real love in action, look at a man who gives himself for his friends. When I think of that verse, I think of the brave men and women throughout history who have set aside their lives, donned the military fatigues, and went to battle to fight for the interests of our great country. Many didn't come back. They spilled their blood on the battlefields all over the world.  I think of my own grandfather. He passed a few years ago, but his memories are still with us. Grandpa was a valiant man, a product of the Great Depression and World War II, part of what Tom Brokaw so accurately described as "The Greatest Generation." I'm not sure they make people...

The Swiss Courier

 I just finished a fantastic novel by my friend, Tricia Goyer. Here is my review:  "This is a time for war, not love," says Gabi Mueller, an unlike heroine in a time of war. Hitler's crusade had encroached upon her village and so her courage, Christian faith, and competence led her into a cooperative role for the Allies.  This is a well-crafted, first-rate novel, each page sparkling with action, dialogue and rich character development. I found myself knee deep into the lives of the characters and the drama of the times. I was overwhelmed, at times, by the historical and cultural touch points. I felt when reading, that was right there in the midst of WW, mixing into the lives of the common people forced to make tough choices.  This novel wasn't just a pleasurable diversion, it delivered an education into the lives of the common person on both sides of the Swiss-German...

10 Things I’m Thankful for this Thanksgiving

1. I'm thankful for my life--given to me by God. Every breath is a blessing.  2. I'm thankful for my salvation, purchased for me on the Cross 2,000 years ago by Jesus Christ, secured forever by the Holy Spirit. This gives me the promise of eternal life in Heaven.  3. I'm thankful for my beautiful wife of seven years. Marriage to her is infinitely more blessed than I ever imagined.  4. I'm thankful for my children. Grace Marie is almost five and fills our home with such joy and laughter. Dan Jr. is 1 and is walking and has his own unique and curious personality. And Emma Rose is awaiting her entrance into this world, sometime around Christmas. Can't wait to see what she looks and sounds and acts like.  5. I'm thankful for my parents, who courageously raised us children in the Lord, who provided more than we needed, who encouraged us along...