The Gospel Comes to Ireland
March 17th, 2019
The rope was so tight round sixteen-year-old Patricius’ wrists they’d bitten into the flesh. He no longer felt the sting of the saltwater from the wind-tossed waves splashing over the side of the boat...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Are We Drifting Backwards?
February 26th, 2019
I’m about to share something personal. It’s a lesson I learned years ago. I share it because it illustrates what I believe to be a crucial truth. It seems many mature Believers “get stuck” at some poi...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
The Legend and Lesson of St. Valentine
February 14th, 2019
All we can say for sure is that there was indeed a pastor named Valentine who became a martyr around AD 270. Beyond that, it’s legend and conjecture. But where facts are thin, people feel free to prov...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
The Stage is Set // Prophecy Update January 2019
January 19th, 2019
25% of Scripture is prophetic, foretelling events before they happen.Jesus rebuked the leaders of His day because they refused to see how He fulfilled prophecy.Just as there were many prophecies that ...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
The Christian Life Series
December 7th, 2018
If you attend Calvary Chapel Oxnard, you may have noticed the posters that just went up. They announce the sermon series on The Christian Life we’ll be doing in 2019.As we continue to work our way boo...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
What I Learned (Running for City Council)
November 10th, 2018
I decided to run for a seat on the Oxnard City Council in the recent mid-term elections after it became clear that was what God’s Spirit was telling me to do. I have to admit, it’s not what I wanted a...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Everything Runs Down
July 10th, 2018
While Evangelical Progressives applaud recent cultural changes, those of the Conservative branch are concerned as traditional values are thrown over in favor of the Moral Revolution. What they need to...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
What Changed?
July 10th, 2018
A rash of school shootings has people scratching their heads wondering why. Many locate the problem primarily in America’s love of guns. Each new campus tragedy becomes a rallying point in the call fo...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
An Affirmation of Dignity
February 28th, 2018
The world is again in the grip of yet another realization its ways are bankrupt. The sexual revolution of the 60’s has born more bitter fruit in the ever-growing sexual harassment scandals rocking one...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
The Advantage
December 21st, 2017
The Thomas Fire recently roared to life in the hills near Santa Paula. High winds drove it relentlessly toward Ventura where it burned hundreds of homes, including three of our members and many friend...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Are You Ready For This? Part 1
October 25th, 2017
This is an appeal to those attracted to a movement going by several titles, predominantly The Resurgence and Neo-Calvinism. The more traditional title is Reformed Theology. Its popular contemporary pr...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Are You Ready for This? Part 2
October 25th, 2017
In Part 1 we took a look at Meticulous or Hard Determinism and the way it casts God as a moral monster. In Part 2 we will consider a couple more troubling doctrines of Calvinism, then turn to consider...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
WATCH: California Legalizes Physician–Assisted Suicide
October 17th, 2017
The State of California recently passed into law what is known as “Physician-assisted suicide.” That is, doctors will no longer be charged with a crime for assisting those who want to end their lives ...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Christ our Creator
September 20th, 2017
Jesus’ words, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” say to the theologian, “Jesus is God!”The Greek word “Lord” in the New Testament (“kurios”) has the basic meaning of “Master” – but is also used t...  Read More
by Jeff Atchison
A Faulty System of Works
September 20th, 2017
Jesus’ words, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” say to the religious person, “We are saved by grace, and not by works.”Sometimes our actions have the exact opposite result than we desired or exp...  Read More
by Jeff Atchison
We Begin with Rest
September 20th, 2017
Jesus’ words, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” say to the Christian, “Find your weekly refreshment in ME!”In a seventh–day Sabbath, the emphasis is on six days of work first, and then the Sabba...  Read More
by Jeff Atchison
Sabbath Surrender
September 18th, 2017
Jesus’ words, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” say to the Pharisee, “You are not large and in charge – I am!”The term “Lord” in the New Testament is used for both, “Master” and “Lord God.” The ...  Read More
by Jeff Atchison
Christ our Identity
September 18th, 2017
Jesus’ words, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” say to the Jew, “Let Me be your identity!”God’s covenant with Moses was the sign of the Sabbath. It was given to remind Israel of their Creator. U...  Read More
by Jeff Atchison
This is Happening Now
August 25th, 2017
[What follows is an edited transcript of today’s (August 24, 2017) “the Briefing” with Al Mohler. Not much commentary is needed. Be aware of how far Statism has progressed in the United States.]CBS Ne...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Regressive Christianity
June 21st, 2017
What goes around, comes around. What’s coming round now is a resurgent liberalism that aims to accommodate Christianity to contemporary society and the moral revolution that’s virtually swept Western ...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Walking Wisely in a Moral Minefield
March 29th, 2017
Once again controversy rages over a film. This time, a beloved children’s classic, Beauty & the Beast. Disney Studios live action film “updates” the tale with some, what they consider, socially-consci...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
American Holocaust
January 26th, 2017
44 years ago, on Jan. 22, 1973, the US Supreme Court rendered the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand in all 50 States. The companion case to Roe was Doe v. Bolton, which made abortion ...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Defaming God
January 5th, 2017
[The following is drawn from ideas articulated in the article “The Dilemma of Theistic Determinism” by Gunther Juncker in the Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry, Fall 2015, Volume 12, Number 2]Th...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
Negotiating the CCA / CCGN Kerfuffle
December 2nd, 2016
Pastor Chuck Smith frequently referred to Ephesians 4 as a transformative passage for his ministry. He’d served for seventeen years as a pastor in a denomination where pastors were urged to be evangel...  Read More
by Lance Ralston
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