“I believe in God, but not religion.” This type of comment makes me think that our religious services aren’t offering God in a way that people can sit down at the spiritual table and feast. It means that God isn’t being presented, well, as God. Let’s be honest. We like to wrap God up in … Continue reading Jesus Uncensored
On Friday evening, December 3, 1999, my wife and I were on our way to the NC District Church of the Nazarene’s Christmas celebration. Before getting on the highway, we pulled into a gas station to fill up. The wind chill was below zero, which was unusually cool for North Carolina. Even though I wore … Continue reading Furnace Club
After many years of preaching, I’ve grown accustomed to the Holy Spirit prompting me to say things that make me uncomfortable. Usually, it’s something hard for me to hear myself or something that’ll likely offend some of my listeners or both. I can’t count how many times I’ve prayed over and prepared notes a week … Continue reading Standing In The Pulpit
If you’re easily offended, you’re carnal. Offense is nothing more than your flesh trying to live. The more you give in to it, the more susceptible you become to being offended. It is like an automatic firearm; it keeps blasting once you pull the trigger. If not dealt with, offense turns into resentment. When that … Continue reading Cancel Culture
Last year, I received an invitation to be one of the guest speakers at a conference in Kokomo, IN. The Holiness Partnership (tHP) was planning its first annual gathering, and I was honored to be asked to preach. I have known the majority of those involved in organizing tHP for many years. They are fruitful … Continue reading The Holiness Partnership
The Bible is the bestselling book of all time. Every year it sells more than 100 million copies. It has been translated into more than 700 languages. The Guinness Book of World Records estimates that the Bible has sold over five billion total copies. Many have tried to discredit it. All have failed. Followers of … Continue reading Biblical Worldview
The United States of America is in a massive cultural transition. The way Boomers and Millennials approach life and process information couldn’t be any more different. Unfortunately, as culture shifts, so do the ethics and values that guide said culture. Sometimes this is for better; usually, it’s for worse. As values shift, the church should … Continue reading Shifting Sand
There is an unusual pattern found throughout the pages of scripture. We witness it in the lives of people like Moses, Gideon, Rahab, Jonah, and the twelve disciples. Interestingly, God calls the most unlikely candidates to accomplish the most amazing things over and over again. God repeatedly uses ordinary people for seemingly impossible assignments. He … Continue reading In Over Your Head
Things here, things there, things everywhere.Things fill our lives. By things, we do survive.It’s part of who we are. We need bigger houses and enjoy nicer cars.People love to consume things. Things love to consume people.It just keeps piling it up ’til it’s as high as the church steeple. I’ve never considered myself a poet. … Continue reading More Than Enough
“Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5) We have an inconceivably great God. He is without error—perfect in every way. He is without equal; there … Continue reading One King Rules Them All
Brian L Powell 