As a pastor I sometimes find myself in conversations with people who are looking to find perspective about the issues that have begun to crowd their lives. Just like the people who might be stuck in a traffic jam on the roads in the picture here to the left, it would be helpful to be able to be lifted up … Read More
STORYTELLER–October & November 2011 Series
I can’t believe it’s already October! I’m looking forward to delivering a series of life-changing messages on some of the most famous stories Jesus told. You may know one of Jesus’ primary ways of teaching was through the “parable”–an earthly story that conveys heavenly truth. These stories are rich in meaning and application. Bring someone to church with you and … Read More
Merciful
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).So, what’s it mean to be merciful, anyway? Mercy happens when you see some one’s suffering and you do something to alleviate it or end it. Mercy doesn’t happen because someone deserves it, but because someone decides to take action to help someone out who is suffering.Mercy plays a role … Read More
Why Volunteer?
People volunteer to serve in churches for all kinds of reasons. Some are looking for recognition for others to see how great they are or maybe for God to notice their hard work. Others serve in hopes to receive something more by contributing to God’s kingdom. I’ve met others who serve simply for social connections. I’d like to suggest that … Read More
You Go First
Been waiting for a reason to positive, happy, full of faith? You go first. You take the step out there where joy and gratitude lie. Are you waiting for your spouse to be brighter or more optimistic or more loving? You go first–make the move to be the one who lifts the mood in your marriage. Are you waiting for … Read More
Hitting the Nail on the Head
I sat listening to another story recently of a Christian who missed the point. When I say “missed the point”, I don’t mean by a little or somehow failed to do what they needed to do, but I mean to say that they missed the point of their whole Christian life. What are we moving toward in following Christ? The … Read More
Pride and Religious People
This weekend I’m delivering a message on Pride, the first of the 7 Deadly Sins we’ll be looking at in our Break the Cycle series. I won’t be able to convey in a single message all I’ve learned about pride in preparing for the message, but one of the things I’ve discovered is that religious observance and the religious context … Read More
Reflections from a Fast-Food Cashier
Last night, I was unable to go home and needed to grab something quick before my night moved forward. The place wasn’t busy, and I ordered my food, noticing that the young man taking my order, while youthful, had some interesting art on his arms and large holes in his lobes from gauges. We started talking. He just moved to … Read More
The Day After Doomsday
So, it’s come and gone. No rapture, no global earthquake. What lessons could Christians take from this unfortunate PR disaster? It’s true this was a small following that made bold pronouncements that the world would end on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 6PM, but Family Radio had 2000 billboards, dozens of radio stations, and were broadcasting into 30 languages. For … Read More
CYNICAL
This past Monday evening, the evening of my 42nd birthday, I was privileged to listen to Jim Bradford, General Secretary of the Assemblies of God, speak on Josiah. His message was ripe and full of good things and aimed at ministers under 50 years of age. I have enjoyed listening to Dr. Bradford on the occasions that I have heard … Read More