This is an excerpt from the third chapter of By Water and the Word: God’s Gift of Baptism for You by Brian Thomas (1517 Publishing, 2026), pgs 52-60.
Even when the bitter places sink down deep into our bones, the Restorer never relinquishes his grip on you.
To Live Well is therefore not a general advice book, but a message suffused with the gospel.

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The other day on Twitter, I saw someone insult their theological opponent with the term "free-gracer."
Even after Jesus made it clear in His actions and commands that God’s grace is for all sinners, the apostles forgot the promises they received from their Savior.
We who have been given so much are the way by which the Father cares for those in need.
I grew up playing baseball – mostly “street” baseball, with a bunch of friends. It was one of my passions in life.
Psalm 51 teaches two things: mercy and sin. But aren’t we already experts in sin? Why do we need God to teach it to us?
We fail over and over again to tame the sin in our hearts, to guard the doors of our lips and to act like the children of God.
Advent is one big answer to the question of free will in matters of salvation. God is free. Our will is bound.
The restoration of everything that is and will be, was always meant to take place in a virgin’s belly, in a manger, at the cross.
A friend recently told me they had never seen the movie A Christmas Story. “What?!” I exclaimed. “Well, you need to fix that this year.”
The age of grace has dawned, the time in which all things will be made new.
This blog is a part of our Advent series on the hope we find in, through and given by Christ. Each week’s installment will look at hope from a different perspective with special emphasis on corresponding passages of Scripture.
I apologize for my part in making Christmas necessary. I have learned that Christ is NOT the reason for the season, I am.