While in many ways it has felt like an eternity, I still find it remarkable that we are quickly approaching the one-year mark from my first Sunday as a senior pastor. Of course, this year has been unforgettable—and historic—for all of us in so many ways. But in particular, this year has been one of […]
Practical
Should You Use a Hard Copy of the Bible for Corporate Worship?
One of the most noticeable developments within the church in recent days shows up at the beginning of each sermon I preach when I invite the congregation to turn with me to a particular passage of Scripture. At that moment, a growing number of congregants reach into their pockets to grab their smartphone. Some don’t […]
A Theological Lesson From Pregnancy
A THEOLOGICAL LESSON FROM PREGNANCY I’ll never forget the day I found out that my wife was pregnant. The day I knew my life would be forever changed. But somewhere between the day I found out we were going to be having a child and the day of her arrival in the [quickly-approaching] future, there […]
Stop Inviting People to Church
Inviting someone to church surely has tremendous intentions. And in many cases, it is important and necessary to do so. But inviting someone to church is not a fulfillment of the responsibility of believers to share the gospel with a lost world. In fact, the New Testament church has been given the task to do the exact opposite.
Unwavering
Halfway across the world in West Africa, there is a small village of a few hundred people by the name of Kadazaki. It is several miles away from the next closest village. There is no electricity. There is no running water. There is just scorching heat and long, hard days of work for community survival.
Inexplicably, in the middle of the desert, a tree stands firmly planted at the heart of the village.
#Blessed
As a result of the Americanization of Christianity, we often associate God’s blessing with monetary wealth and comfort.
However, monetary wealth, comfort, and success may in fact be a sign of God’s wrath.
Bitter
A bitter heart is an enslaved heart. I was a slave to my own anger and resentment.
But the grace of the cross transformed me in a way that only Christ can. The grace of the cross set me free.
Lost
I used to play baseball. Then I didn’t. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, I was suddenly lost.
Numbering Our Days
Next year isn’t promised. Tomorrow isn’t promised. Our next breath isn’t promised. In fact, none of them are even deserved. Every year that we live, every day that we wake up, every breath that we take – they’re all a product of grace.
Good, Good News
Every time we turn on the TV we are met with bad news. The latest tragedy. But there is a greater story to be told. And it is good, good news.