“Every step away from God, away from Jesus and His will, is a step toward grief. Likewise, every step of obedience to Christ and His will is a step with Jesus toward greater joy. No exceptions. No matter what your emotions are telling you, no matter what your culture or your friends are telling you, … More Choosing Joy: Two Steps to Overcome Grief
There is no escaping obedience in the call of Christ. No amount of tears, or feelings, or bold proclamation can replace the sure and certain call that those who follow Christ are called to a lifetime of obedience to His will. We do life by His rules not ours. Many have pointed this way but … More Obedience and the Call to Follow Jesus
For about 7 years, while I was on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ (now CRU), I had the privilege of teaching a two credit graduate class on the Life of David at the Institute of Biblical Studies twice, and sometimes three times a year. It was an honor and a thrill. I think … More “To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice”
Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The matter comes from the LORD; so we cannot speak to you bad or good.” I’m reading through the book of Genesis again. This time in an older Bible with long forgotten notes from perhaps 20 years ago peppering the margins. In Genesis 24:50, I found 9 words written in … More Obedience and a Loving Heart
Abounding in Love Back in May, I had the privilege of preaching on Philippians 1:9-11, Paul’s prayer for the Philippians. Paul reveals the content of his prayer whenever he remembers the faithfulness of the Philippians. He starts with . . . “That your love may abound” Having an abounding love for people and for the … More Being Known for an Abounding Love
The poverty of evangelical reflection, the shallowness of our deepest thoughts about God is becoming the achillies heal of our witness in the world. Our deepest thoughts about God barely skim the surface of the reality of who God is and what He has revealed about Himself in His word. And it is killing us. … More “It is God Himself that Nourishes the Soul”
A vast literature has developed over the last four decades beginning and reaching its zenith in the 1970’s and 80’s. The “Church Growth” industry has slowed but the number of blogs peppering the internet with “how to do church better” has more than filled in the gap. Some of it can be helpful. My shelves … More Jesus Had a Plan for Church Growth
An Excerpt from Bonhoeffer “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Eph. 4:26). It is a decisive rule of every Christian fellowship that every dissension that day has brought must be healed in the evening. It is perilous for the Christian to lie down to sleep with an unreconciled heart. Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 74. … More How Community is Protected
Reading with the Pastor Matthew 9 and Psalm 14-15 A whole chapter of healings is what we read today in Matthew 9. Jesus healed . . . a paralytic—a man unable to move from place to place a ruler’s daughter—a girl unable to breathe and enjoy life a woman with a bloody discharge of 12 years standing—a … More Train Yourself to Do More than Read
For all those who live “Beyond the Honeymoon” Some friends, some of them for 40 years and some of them for two, have been having difficulty in their marriages. I have been exercised in prayer for them and concerned for the health of their families. With a few, I have shared this short article that … More In 1991, My Heart Was Breaking
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