November 29th, 2016
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I regularly come upon the phrase, “hack,” and people use it to denote a shortcut or way to bypass unnecessary problems or obstacles. One of my favorite websites, in fact, is dedicated to “life hacks”—articles that show you how to solve many common problems.
November 22nd, 2016
I used to have a regular standing appointment with a widower in my congregation. We’d get together for coffee every Friday morning and we’d chat.
November 17th, 2016
Inviting guests into my home is intimidating. Will the food taste good and look appetizing? How will providing a meal for extra people fit into my budget? Is my house nice enough and are my children polite enough? How will I ever get the house clean? Here is where I need to take a deep breath and remember a few things.
November 15th, 2016
When Spanish explorer Hernan Cortez reached the new world in 1519 he gave orders to his men to burn their ships. Why would he do such a thing?
November 10th, 2016
Rather than focusing on your fear and uncertainty, I suggest you ask yourself this: How can I use my talents and interests to show love to fellow believers, or to pave the way for corporate activities to go smoothly.
November 8th, 2016
What’s the best way to build and hone a skill? Daily practice. This is true with many skills in life, but especially true regarding the biblical languages.
November 3rd, 2016
At heart, music is a marriage of expression and communication that blesses, heals, unites, and encourages. It is a most beautiful reflection of the harmony, creativity, and beauty that comes from our God, the overflowing source of all good.
November 1st, 2016
This past spring I had my first experience as a parent sitting on the sidelines and cheering for my son as he played organized team soccer. I have to say it was quite the experience.
October 27th, 2016
Over the years in all the churches to which we have belonged I have had many opportunities to use my gifts as a Sunday school teacher, as a curriculum writer, and most often as a teacher of women’s Bible studies.
October 25th, 2016
One of the most important things you can do as a pastor to prolong your ministry is to take vacations. It may sound odd, but it’s true. As a pastor you need to take time off to recharge your batteries.
October 18th, 2016
As a pastor you will be the recipient of thousands of questions throughout the course of your ministry. At first, the thought of this can be quite intimidating: “How can I possibly be ready to answer questions about any theological topic?”
October 11th, 2016
When you go to church what do you hope to get out of the sermon? This is a question we should ask ourselves on a regular basis. I think most people rightly want to be edified, encouraged, and comforted.
October 4th, 2016
All too often we dally with sin and wander the streets of temptation. We fail to recognize that sin is powerful and we do best to steer clear of it entirely.
September 27th, 2016
I think one of the most underrated things a pastor can do is pray for his congregation. I think pastors, of course, should do all of the regular tasks we might expect, preach, study, counsel, meet with the elders, and perform the regular pastoral administrative responsibilities, which may vary from church to church.
September 20th, 2016
As a pastor I regularly listened to people give all sorts of reasons and excuses for their sinful conduct. As a parent, I have listened to my children blame everyone else for their sin.
September 13th, 2016
Regardless of your denominational affiliation, one doctrine that unites all Christians against other religions is the doctrine of the trinity. Whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, all so-called Christians affirm the doctrine that we worship one God who subsists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
September 6th, 2016
The Internet has brought a technological revolution to many different aspects of life. In the pre-internet days if you were watching a TV show and recognized an actor but could not remember what other shows she appeared in, you were simply left in your ignorance.
August 30th, 2016
As I watch my children grow up right before my eyes, I have been struck by how quickly time races by. My eldest son is about to turn nine years old!
August 23rd, 2016
These days it seems like Christians are in search of conservatism in whatever forms they can find it, and with good reason. It seems like the cultural, political, and theological wheels on the bus are falling off.
August 16th, 2016
I am and probably will be a child at heart as long as I live. Perhaps it’s in my DNA or I can blame my dad for influencing my personality—but I don’t always feel my age.
