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
BREAK THE CYCLE–June 2011 Series
Starting Sunday, June 5, 2011, I’ll be delivering a series of four messages on The Seven Deadly Sins. The Seven deadly sins come from a list that began to develop in the fourth century after Christ by Evagrius Ponticus and was developed thereafter and referred to often by different Christian leaders as a helpful reminder of what were “Capital Vices”–that … Read More
“The Huddle”–A Model for Reaching Men Here?
Yesterday, I had the pleasure to visit an inter-denominational lunchtime, hour-long, weekly gathering of about 150 men at the YMCA in Kokomo, Indiana. They usually distribute some kind of free lunch and eat it during a talk that is meaningful to men on some level. The format was simple: 12:05–announcements12:10-12:30–a speaker who delivers an address relevant to men12:30-12:50–discussion around tables12:50–table … 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
A Christian Response to the Killing of Osama bin Laden
I perceive a divided opinion among Christians over the killing of Osama bin Laden. Some Christians are thrilled at the news that bin Laden is dead at the hands of American special forces. Other Christians believe the proper response is almost mourning, as bin Laden has been sent, almost certainly, to a Christ-less eternity. Perhaps I am foolish to try … Read More
May 2011 Series: THE CROSS
May 8-29, 2011, I’ll be delivering a series of messages on the richest theme in the scriptures: The Cross. We’ll look at what it means generally and how it applies to our lives. This will be a great time for long-time followers of Christ to renew and sharpen their understanding of how the cross of Jesus applies not only … Read More
Bible Benefits
Q: Do I have to study the Bible to be accepted by God? A: I’m not really sure what prompted the person who wrote this question on an index card at our Q Sunday event on February 6, 2011, but I’ll take a stab at a few observations. The Bible is one of the primary ways that God uses to … Read More
Thoughts on Baptism
Yesterday, I had the privilege to baptize almost 20 people in our Easter celebrations. At the end of the second service, I left the tank with tears running down my face, aglow in the power of this simple act in the water. Because I didn’t get to say much about it yesterday in the flow of our services, I’d just … Read More
Forsaken
I don’t know how it is where you are, but where I live it is raining and kind of raw outside, like most Good Fridays I’ve experienced in my life. On Good Friday, I find my mind drifting to the central image of my faith–the crucifixion of Jesus. A lot happened that day, and they put him on the cross … Read More
Pain & Finding God
Q: Why does God take away the dearest people from you when you need them the most? How can we call God kind when all this does is leave hurts and pain? A: This question, submitted on our Q Sunday event in February 2011, is one that is part of the human experience and one that all thinking people ask … Read More