Saturday Afternoon Musings I heard a marvelous message from Psalm 32 from my friend John Crooker, serving as the Interim Pastor at Trinity Church about a month or two ago when I visit Trinity Church. It is always a joy to hear the word of God poured through a godly man’s heart, with a love … More Goodbye Illinois
I suppose every pastor has a certain number of “fear-dominated” parishioners. I’m thankful that in my current church there seems to be very few but I know the malady can be debilitating and destructive to gospel living. Christians ought not to be dominated by fear but by hope–an overwhelming hope, no matter what is or … More When Fear Threatens to Undo
The following is excerpted from THE MEDIAN, volume 23 / #4 (Fall 2016). The Median is the monthly newsletter of MasterMedia International started by Dr. Larry Poland. MasterMedia ministers to the media elite in Hollywood and New York seeking to bring a Christ-like witness to the power-brokers of Radio, Television, and Film. Larry was the … More Schindler’s List and the Sanctity of Life
A Christmas Meditation The Bible opens with the magnificent words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Majestic. There is nothing but God and God creates all that is seen and unseen. Eventually, He creates “Friday’s Child”–man. Man walks with God in a garden and world designed for him by a loving … More A Promise of Light
For all the “broken” people who know the reality of need: “You see,” Dr. Iverson said, “If you are broken, you don’t have to ask to be used. God delights to use broken people. That’s the only way to be filled [with the Spirit] and it’s the only way to become useable.” See this link … More Spirit of the Living God, Break Me in Pieces
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
Good teaching is not an accident. It is part of a process that begins in a bowed spirit, proceeds through a rigorous process of study, bathed in a spirit of prayer, and anticipating the empowering of God. John Piper’s advice has always been helpful. Pray with me and for all those around the world burdened … More John Piper’s Advice for Pastors (or anyone who teaches the Bible)
Middle Aged Pastor Bucks Hipster Trend and Shaves Beard Free Church pastor, Mortimer Johnson, boldly defied a national trend and shaved off his bushy, full beard and found out he was still relevant. When reached, pastor Johnson, who now desperately needs a tan, said, “I was afraid at first, what with all the young and … More A Babylon Bee-ish Post (Satire)
Here is another in a series of posts on Intensely Local Ministry. This one may be way out of people’s comfort zone. But then again, Jesus didn’t call us to a life of comfort or even safety. He calls us to seek and serve the lost. This is a link to an NPR story about … More I Don’t Like the Title but I Love this Example
I recently had a conversation with a church member about the failure of his church to act with any urgency to a new person’s desire to be baptized. “This person came to church for the first time in years at my invitation; they were powerfully moved by the message and immediately after the service signed up … More Why Do They Visit? Why Do They Leave?
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