Resources by Topic: Christian Life

In 2021 Randy was interviewed on The Call to Mastery podcast with Jordan Raynor. In their conversation, which centers around Randy's book Heaven, they discuss the difference between Heaven and the New Earth, how to prioritize your time, hope in the midst of cancer and more.

These are some great thoughts from Puritan Samuel Annesley (c. 1620-1696) on how we can find spiritual rest.

When I receive critical comments online or in response to my books, and when someone talks to me personally about their disagreements, I ask God to point out to me any truth they may contain. People are certainly correct that I’m very flawed. No one is more aware of this than I am.

It's important to remember there is a big distinction between animals and people, even when it comes to euthanasia. Human beings are uniquely made in God’s image and although animals are a beloved creation, they are not.

Randy Alcorn speaks at his home church, Good Shepherd Community Church about heaven and the new earth.

My advice to young people, and to people of all ages, is this same thing: “Choose your friends wisely.” Don’t just let friendships happen by circumstance. Make them happen by choice—careful, thoughtful choice.

Not only should we listen when people happen to speak, but also we should ask them the kinds of questions that invite them to speak further and at a deeper and more personal level. I love this article by Blake Glosson, a student at Reformed Theological Seminary, about the importance of asking others thoughtful questions as a way of ministering to them and showing interest in their lives.

"I believe that by caring for animals we are also caring for humans. We are providing them with God’s gift of emotional support and friendship through taking care of their pets. Do you think God approves of careers in veterinary medicine?"

We are in a season where it seems there have never been more strong opinions about a variety of topics, and more opportunities to offend others. So how do we navigate that with grace, and work towards reconciliation when we do offend one another? Here are some thoughts I shared with a reader who asked for advice.

If insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results, sin not only leads to insanity—it is insanity. In his book Life in Christ in 1 John, Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares these helpful definitions of sin, and why we must avoid it.

I love this analogy Eugene Peterson shared in his book The Jesus Way.

“For a believer, nothing in his or her life is unchanged by the gospel. If you look at life from the vantage point of the present benefits of the person, work, presence, and promises of the Lord Jesus Christ, nothing in your life looks the same.”

In this article, Daniel Darling addresses a temptation we as believers can often face on social media: “I’m a good person. I’m on the right side of all the right issues. And I’m here to publicly declare this to those not as good as me.”

There is a difference between initial guilt feelings/shame that is the conviction of the Holy Spirit (who is the convicter and comforter) versus residual and accusatory guilt/shame after confession and forgiveness that’s from Satan, the accuser.