http://www.emmausins.com/blog en-gb copyright 2026 - EMMAUS INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL restoringlife@hotmail.com Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/the_pastors_relationship_with_god_how_is_your_soul The Pastor’s Relationship with God:How Is Your Soul?Rev. Dr. Jack L. DanielThe conversation would always begin with the same question; “How is your soul?” After we exchanged greetings and placed our order, Bob would zero in with that simple question, “How is your soul?” With gentleness and genuine concern, he pinned me to the wall. Even though I knew the question was coming, there was no evading or hiding because I knew he cared for me, and I knew I was in the prese...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:02:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/the_pastor_and_his_prayer_life The Pastor’s Prayer LifebyJon PaynePrayer is indispensable in the life of the pastor. It is essential—a primary means by which he communes with God personally and leads his people corporately. Prayer is the air the pastor breathes. Without it, he suffocates in ministry. The prayerless pastor labors in his own strength and will eventually collapse under the weight and pressures of ministry or be led astray by the siren calls of the culture. Prayer is a constant reminder that God is Go...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/the_bible_and_the_immigrant The Bible and the ImmigrantThe Bible is clear concerning the issue of the immigrant and their treatment. Regardless of the immigrant’s status, he or she is deserving of dignity, respect, and compassion, as an image-bearer of God. Deuteronomy 10:17-19 shows that God wants us, His people, to be people of justice and mercy. Moreover, we are to be hospitable to our immigrant neighbors.Yet, as Romans 13:1-5 reveals, we are to be subject to the governing authorities. As these authorities establi...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 23 Jan 2025 14:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/the_word_of_god_vs_witchcraft The Word of God vs. WitchcraftSeveral years ago, my mother and I were having a discussion concerning the problem of professing Christians who were engaging in witchcraft. She was pointing out the contradiction in people who attempted to simultaneously rely on power of God and the power of the devil. These practices range from reliance on horoscopes to full-blown involvement and preoccupation with witchcraft and other occultic practices. It also involves astrology, black arts, fortune telling, Ou...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 18 Jun 2024 22:00:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/the_battle_for_truth I am not sure when I became aware of this truth. It may have come from some article I read or discovered upon reflection. Notwithstanding, thisphilosophicand apologetic thoughtwasetched in my mind: the dominant battle in the 21stcentury is and will be the battle for truth!This is not a battle that has recently begun. It first appeared in the satanic conversation with Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). Throughout the epochs of time, this battle has continued to rage. Even within the pages...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 21 Mar 2024 08:34:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/why_we_avoid_political_preaching Why We Avoid Political PreachingDaniel DarlingI’ve written on this issue before, but it’s probably worth revisiting in an election season. And new research has been released by Lifeway that affirms what I’ve always believed: generally Bible-believing pastors shy away from overt political endorsements and preaching politics in the pulpit.I wrote a piece for Relevant not long ago on this subject in which I said this:[To preach] is a humble and holy task because the people who att...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:00:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/songs_of_the_nightday_is_dying_in_the_west During my parent’s recent visit, I was reminiscing with them about a hymn I learned as a child, “Day is Dying in the West”, by Mary Ann Lathbury (1878). The tune, Chautauqua, was written by William Fisk Sherman. (Interestingly, after leading the family in a time of prayer the night before my parents returned home, my father raised this hymn in closing. I shall never forget that moment of devotion). This hymn text was written for vespers or evening worship services, which were c...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:31:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/reading_and_studying_as_a_pastor_minister By Ligon Duncan(This article was originally published as a post at the Together for the Gospel (T4G) blog)But precisely because our people are bathed in trivial information in this day and age, they need a shepherd with real knowledge, much discernment, and a nose for truth. This knowledge must be acquired, and those qualities cultivated, and both require that you become a permanent student. This call to study is, of course, entirely biblical.The Bible emphasizes the importance of the pursuit of...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:00:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/gods_use_of_process God is the God of process! Since the beginning of time and the creation of the earth, God’s use of process has been evident. In six days, God created, although capable of instantaneously creating.God has chosen process not only with creation but also with our sanctification. As Christians, we were justified by God, which began the process of increasing Christlikeness. Yet, as the Apostle Paul declared, “[We] have not yet apprehended” (Philippians 3:13). The process is essential...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:00:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/old_school_vs_new_school Old School vs. New SchoolAn interesting phenomenon that is running rampant throughout modern American society is the conflict between “old school” and “new school.” Of course, intergenerational tension is notnew. What is occurring now in many sectors is that old-school principles, along with old school methods, are being rejected. With the emergence of innovative technologies, it is inevitable and desirable that methodology would be require a new accommodation or adjustme...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:00:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/thanking_god_for_dr_charles_stanley I Thank God for Dr. Charles Stanleyby Dr. Jerome SymonetteYesterday, on April 18, 2023, Dr. Charles Stanley died! One of my dear friends informed me of his passing by text message. Both of us had read many of his books together and were tremendouslyblessed through them. One such book was The Blessings of Brokenness by Dr. Stanley. I don’t have an exact recollection of how and when I was introduced to his writings. What I do remember is that the titles of the books claimed my attention, bec...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:00:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/the_resurrection_of_jesus_not_only_on_easter The Resurrection of Jesus:Not Only on Easter!The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest and most important event in the history of mankind! The powerful truth is that “God raised Jesus from the dead” (Acts 13:30). Through this profound reality, God’s promise was kept, death was eradicated, forgiveness is made available, and justification made possible. The far-reaching and on-going results of the Resurrection demand a response that is not limited to Easter Sunday (Resurre...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 05 Apr 2023 10:00:01 -0500http://www.emmausins.com/gods_use_of_betrayal_and_abandonment Betrayal and AbandonmentJesus’ journey to the Cross involvedbetrayal and abandonment! The perpetrator of this betrayal wasnone other than one chosen by Jesus. The betrayer, one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So, they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over (Matthew 26:14-16). A closer lo...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Thu, 02 Mar 2023 11:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/kum_ba_yah_a_call_for_a_theophany Kum Ba Yah: A Cry for a Theophany“Kum Ba Yah” or “Come by Here, My Lord” is a well-known African American spiritual. It has been performed and heard by people across the globe, in countless settings. The inherent beauty of its melodies and the sincere expressions found in its text brings about a universal appeal. These qualities alone make it a deeply loved, profoundly moving, and greatly valued piece of music, filled with intensity. Some reviewers, however, have question...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/lenta_journey_with_jesus The 40-Day Lenten Season is a time of penance and charity, during which we engage in intensified prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (charity). Lent is 40 days long as a reminder of Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness, and His defeat of temptation (Matthew 4). Our Lord’s encounter is our example too, as we face the inevitable challenges of temptation and sin. As the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sins, we must confess and repent of our sinful habits and inclinations, to foster an obedie...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 13:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/love_divine_all_loves_excelling The hymn, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, written by Charles Wesley in 1747, overflows with religious fervor. In this beautiful hymn text,Wesley, at once, recognizes and worships God. The excelling love of the Divine reflected in the Incarnation of Christ compels the deep and intense love for and devotion toward God. The “coming down” of Christ to humbly dwell with us inspires this adoration and provokes a prayer for God to “visit and enter every trembling heart.” In th...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/music_worship_and_the_transcendence_of_god Music, Worship, and the Transcendence of GodIf we lose sight of the presence of God, what we offer God in a worship service or in liturgy can descend into flippancy, frivolity, and shallowness. Sometimes, relevance and accessibility looms so large as a worship goal that one can lose a sense of the transcendence of God. Of course, God, in His great mercy and grace, makes Himself accessible and condescends to us. (This was most clearly seen in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ)! Yet, we must remembe...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/what_do_you_mean_by_biblical What Do You Mean by “Biblical”?Reading a recent article, on the Yahoo platform, I was at once struck by its tone and tenor. The article was in opposition to the recent stance of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida, concerning their affirmation of the Bible’s stance on sexuality, gender, and marriage. One of the responses in the article was a commentary about the plethora of familial variations found in the Bible. In short, this commentator’s argument was that, sin...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/rest_for_the_weary Mrs. Beulah Glover, the First Lady of Mount Bethel Baptist Churchand the Administrator of the Mount Bethel Christian Academy, Fort Lauderdale, once said that “Sometimes, we are tired not only in well-doing but from well-doing.” This profound statement expressed in capsule form the impact that fatigueplays in our lives and multiple spheres in which is experienced. The battle with fatigue rages physically,mentally,and spiritually. If left unaddressed, we will find ourselves facing grav...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 27 Jan 2023 10:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/thanking_god_for_dr_martin_luther_king_jr What God did through Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. deserves our affirmation, celebration, and appreciation. God used him to prophetically call a nation to follow their own ideals of equal justice under the law for every person, regardless of color or creed. Standing in the tradition of Old Testament prophets like Amos, Dr. Martin Luther King, pointed out the sins of bigotry and the dehumanization of people of color since the formation of the United States. The sins of the country were a giant blot...READ MORE by clicking on the title above. Fri, 20 Jan 2023 14:00:01 -0600http://www.emmausins.com/technology_and_christian_formation Technology can be a blessing or a bane for Christian formation! It can be blessing in that it allows increased convenience and efficiency concerning the activities of ministry and Christian living. Moreover, it affords Christians the opportunity to increase their Gospel reach. The “uttermost parts of the earth” is now being accessed just by a click of mouse or the press of a key. Through technology, we are in contact with the nations in our neighborhood as well as the nations across ...READ MORE by clicking on the title above.