closetojesus.org

I started Close to Jesus in 2003 and since then software for running a site like this has made many advances. The old software I used became plagued by spam comments and it didn’t have a facility to prevent or remove these comments. I originally planned to get the new site 100% ready before switching over, but when I started the conversion and saw how many spam comments (and the bad things they said), I knew I had to drop the old site immediately. I will be converting the old articles to this new site over the next couple weeks. Perhaps you will get a chance to read some of the old stuff during that time!

God bless, Mike

I have been thinking on this for some time. I want to teach my children about faith in God, but often I find myself slipping into a works mentality. It is so easy to do, because it is so close to how we naturally think in our fallen state. The world values achievement and winning over everything else, while God values faith. Read more »

What would you tell me 20 years from now if I asked you the following question? What was the major influence in your child’s life, growing up, that guides their life today? You may know it or you may not. You may think you know what it is, but not even be close. I can tell you one thing with certainty! It is either Jesus Christ or antichrist. Read more »

You have probably heard it said that there is no such thing as a dumb question. Or, to put it another way, the only dumb question is one that is not asked. I think that I could add to this by saying that smart questions are questions that are asked with sincere motives. Read more »

It is hard to believe that summer is nearly over and that it is time to start a new school year. Has this summer been a season of growth for you and your family in the Lord? I sincerely hope that you were blessed! Did God lay on your heart any challenges? If he has, you have much to be thankful for. Read more »

This book was first printed in 1888, but contains truths that are relevant today. The reason? Because, it is based upon scripture! J.C. Ryle opens the book with these observations about training children. Read more »

“Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.”

This excerpt from Psalm 128 describes something that everyone desires. That is, to be happy and well. In Part 1, we looked at some of the blessings that God gives to those that fear Him and walk in His ways. Contentment is one of these blessings. Your wife is another blessing that God promises. Read more »

I believe that every father wants to sit down in his old age and look back on his life with satisfaction. Satisfaction that he has accomplished something truly valuable. Why is it, that so many men go through a mid-life crisis when they pass the milestone of turning 40? Could it be, that at the “half-way point” in life, they look back and are disappointed with what they really have accomplished? Is it, that their youth has passed them by? It is hard to get past comparisons with other “successful” men. Or perhaps, it has been a life spent on vain pleasures that have no lasting value. Proverbs 1:7 points us toward the answer. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (KJV)

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Sometime between last night and noon today, the ClosetoJesus.org welcome message was read for the 100th time. While this is not a big number from the perspective of the internet, it does represent a first for this fledgling website. A big thank you to all who have taken time to look and read.

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Can you see into the future of your family? It seems like an impossible task. I am here to tell you that it is not as difficult as you might think. What does the future hold for your children and the future generations of your family?

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