Monday Discussion [Revised and updated from 2010] Developing an “intensely local” vision for church planters and others who just want to make a difference. Thesis: To really get to know a community, you have to “press the flesh.” You need to develop real relationships with real people. This will involve changing both our mindset and … More How to Do Reconnaissance into the Neighborhood’s Soul
Friday is for Heart Songs Do your soul a favor. Go online and find Keith Green’s song from 1978. Listen to it. Listen to it again. Listen to it and read Matthew 25:31-46 like Keith suggests in the liner notes below. It has been 32 years since brother Keith wrote this song but it is more … More The Church is Still Asleep in the Light. When Will She Wake Up?
Weekend Musings I was reading my friend Ann Voskamp’s blog about her trip to Guatemala and the forever-imprint it made on her heart. I want to urge you to go to her blog by clicking on the link I provided. Her words are so much more eloquent than mine. Read hers. Read hers outloud. Let … More The Forever Imprint of a Short Term Mission
Thursday is for Discipleship No living person has had a greater impact on my life and theology than Dr. John Piper. Eight years ago, I had the privilege of being the speaker at the Bethlehem Baptist Church Men’s retreat and meeting Dr. Piper in a setting where he was just one of the guys. It was … More Portrait of a Disciple
Tuesday is for Preaching According to a LifeWay Research survey: Only 6% of pastors explain the gospel clearly on a regular basis. “Lifeway Research surveyed 450 sermons delivered in churches across the country–churches large and small, denominational and non-denominational–to see how often the Bad News and the Good News were being explained in a meaningful … More Bootcamp for Shaping Up the Gospel Preaching of Pastors
Tuesday is for Preaching Tought Primer: Is it likely that in any church service, there are some present who have not had a life-changing conversion experience. They may carry Bibles; they may call themselves Christ followers; they may believe they are ‘saved’; they may speak fluent “Christianese”, but they have never truly placed their trust in … More Preachers are Failing their Congregations
Meditating on 1 John 1 John 1:8-10 (ESV) 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have … More The Transformative Greatness of Forgiveness
I have very limited time to post because of an intensive seminar in which I am participating in Georgia. So I am re-posting from the archives of my old blog, this one, from September 29, 2009: OK, I Promised a U2 Review By the grace of God and the generosity of a friend I was … More Review of Soldier Field U2 concert
Weekend Musings One of the greatest books that Chuck Colson ever wrote was his 1987 Loving God. The book is a lucidly written page-turner with one chapter leading into the next with the perfect set up to entice the reader to continue. Great subject matter does that. But Colson and his co-author bring their talents … More Christianity is Different from every other Religion
Wednesday is for Prayer “You are probably going to heaven and I’m probably going to hell.” The elderly man, Bill 87, was speaking to an elderly woman, Ruth 94, in hospital room 335 at Mercy Hospital. It was Monday, and I was at the hospital with my mother (room 332) as the family was preparing … More What Do You Do When Your Neighbor Says He is Probably Going to Hell?
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