Sunday Afternoon Musings Last night, I was reading 1 Thessalonians and was struck again by the fact that Paul wrote this letter to a group of baby Christians, and yet in every chapter he talks about the second coming of Christ. Apparently, for the apostle Paul, the doctrine of the Second Coming is considered prime … More Sunday Meditation
Three Excerpts from My Forthcoming Book: Praying the Scripture: Learning to Pray the Psalms from Chapter 15: Psalm 88: The Prayer God Kept I want to stay with Psalm 88 a little longer, because I think it is one of the most important psalms in the book for anyone who has ever felt that prayer … More God Interprets Tears Fluently
Last week, I checked out from the Library Victor Frankl’s classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning, now with over 16 million copies sold. (Think about that for a minute. If you had a penny for every book sold of those books, you would be $160,000 richer!) The foreword to the book by Harold Kushner summarizes … More Forces Beyond Your Control
A pastor called with a question about what I have called on this blog, “INTENSELY LOCAL MINISTRY.” How do we reach the people around us? The neighbor next door and the one across the street–how do we tell them about the love of Christ in a culture where the discussion of personal faith is seen … More A Pastor Asked Me . . .
In the last two years, I used the Bible Reading plan supplied by my church in South Carolina. This year–having moved to Missouri–I have decided to start the new year with the Robert McCheyne Bible Reading Schedule. You can find it in various places online and also in the book I edited for The Sojourning … More Bible Reading Plan for 2026
Developing a Mission Statement for Your Life(adapted from the Seven Habits Organizer) One of the most powerful methods of cultivating a passionate vision and mission for your life is to create and live by a mission statement that can become a personal creed for your life. Oftentimes, it is the puniness of our affections and … More Developing A Personal Mission Statement
Today, a foggy Sunday morning, is a good reading day. It reminds me of another good reading day a couple of years ago. Two books, besides my Bible, were on my docket: a novel, Anna Karenina by Tolstoy (my third or fourth read through), and What Jesus Demands from the World, by John Piper. Below are … More Love Idols that Destroy Love
We need help. I think this could serve us well. You will have to decide for yourself. “O God, would You bring forth such tears as would float us out of our lethargy and out to the world to proclaim Your gospel? Make us a people who treasure obedience to You over comfort and security … More How to Pray for a Deaf Nation
No doubt, this confession comes as a shock to many of my readers, friends, and family members. Unfortunately, it is both true and embarrassing. But there is no going forward without a confession and owning up to the fact that my addiction is limiting my effectiveness and my experience of the love of God, and … More Confession: I am an Addict
You get asked some really interesting questions in a lifetime of ministry. Here’s one that a friend asked. “Marty, what is the most important thing you have written?” I’m not sure if I have written anything that is “important.” I’m a writer because it helps me think, not because I “commit acts of literature” when … More Adventuring with Jesus
ChosenRebel's Blog 