Sinner, Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, Son, Church Planter, Professor, Writer, Speaker, Mentor and Coach, and did I say Sinner?
Originally posted in September of 2010 but still a problem in the church (and in my own life). The reason we aren’t progressing, growing and becoming more like Jesus will shock you. You aren’t growing as a Christian because you don’t need him. “But,” you say, “I do need him. Without Christ, I have no … More You Aren’t Growing as a Christian Because You Don’t Need Him
Today, I met my goal of 1,200 miles on the bike before the first snow. It was a 13-mile ride that put me over the top. I had to wait out the rain and the thunder but the air was still warm and the wind was favorable for an out and back route. As I … More Lessons from the Seat of a Bike
Israel was instructed to circumcise all males as a symbol of their covenant with God. But that’s all it was—a symbol (cf. Lev. 26:41) . It was always designed to point to an internal reality. It was always designed to reflect a heart that delighted in being in covenant with the creator, a heart that … More Circumcision of the Heart
My life’s purpose is “to live passionately for and like Jesus.” I am a long way from my goal. But one thing is absolutely certain. I will never make any progress if I am not constantly examining the gospel record for how Jesus lived. Last night before dropping off to sleep I was reading in … More The Jesus Model: Association with Sinners
On the way to his first mission assignment, a fellow team member suffered the loss of his wife and child. Shortly after arriving, a European nurse died and his own wife gave birth to a still-born child while still en route to Burma (present-day Myanmar). Two years later, another child, their first son, died. Three years … More They Were Made of Sterner Stuff
A few weeks ago I went to the funeral for the mother of one of the elders of Trinity Church. The funeral itself was at Calvary Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod) in Watseka. Pastor Don Love did a marvelous job but he was also helped by the marvelous funeral liturgy of his church and the genius … More A Hymn Story for a Flawed Church
One of my favorite “guys” is Anselm (A.D. 1033-1109), an 11th Century follower of Christ. Here is a call to worship from his pen. I love how he encourages us to see ourselves with humility with his opening four words, ‘Come now, little man.” “Come now, little man, turn aside for a while from your daily … More A Call to Worship
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions is one of those works that is a model of meditation on the great doctrines of Christ. Edited by Arthur Bennett, each prayer is laid out in poetic formatting on just two pages. There are sections on: I. The Father, Son and Holy … More How to Meditate on the Trinity
With special reference to issues related to same-sex marriage. The following is from Kairos Journal. I will be busy packing and organizing to get our house on the market, but here is an article worth reading and thinking about. Tomorrow I will try to post on t… Source: Wolfhart Panneberg on What Is and Isn’t a … More Wolfhart Panneberg on What Is and Isn’t a Church
The Tidal Wave is coming. It may already be here. [Repost from 5 years ago.] I am becoming more and more convinced that there is a tidal wave coming to the American Church. It is doctrinal in nature and unless pastors and church leaders are released from t… Source: The Tidal Wave Coming to the … More The Tidal Wave Coming to the American Church
