Lately I’ve been in conversations with other pastors discussing the current spiritual temperature of the Church. We concur that many people who fill the pews on Sundays struggle with their identity in Christ. Many have received the Lord, and believed on him for salvation, but are losing the battle with the Enemy. The Church has … Continue reading Spiritual Warfare
“The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not, ‘What a lovely sermon!’ but, ‘I will do something!’” ~Francis de Sales Sermons are a necessary part of the Christian life. Never devalue the preaching of the Word of God. Proclamation moves people to action. It should change the way we view … Continue reading Sermonettes Produce Christianettes
Stop trying, and start trusting. Easier said than done, right? It’s strange how we don’t mean to lean on our own understanding, yet we do. The tell-tale sign that we’re on the wrong path is always frustration. Anytime frustration sets in, I know immediately that something’s out of line spiritually. When I became a Christian … Continue reading Stop Trying, Start Trusting
God is always up to something. It’s impossible to figure out exactly what, but sometimes you can just feel it in the air. Newness is in His nature. He makes all things new, and when they get old, he makes them new again. That’s why renewal is a process…it never ends. We’re always being made … Continue reading Contagious With Newness
Relationships… followers of Christ are called to relational living. This means that we continually strive to love one another the way God loves us. It means everyone is welcome at the table. It means there is no room for criticism and exclusion. No one is left out. Everyone is included, regardless of race, class, creed, … Continue reading Rules, Religion, & Relationships
Our job is to make goodness fashionable. It doesn’t matter if someone’s life is ruined, degraded, or wrecked beyond comprehension, as God’s ambassadors we connect the world with the goodness of God in such a way that anyone has the potential to become a new creation. Then God will make of others what he is … Continue reading Making Goodness Fashionable
“For the LORD is good; His loving-kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.”~Psalm 100:5 God is good. He is far better than we think He is. Too often we reduce God’s goodness to a fun little catchphrase frequently repeated in church on Sundays: “God is good all the time and all the time God … Continue reading God Is Good
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it” ~Psalms 24:1 God is a missionary God. His very nature is missional. The church only discovers the mission of God as it is gathered into the life of God. More than ever, it appears the church has misplaced … Continue reading Missio Dei
“Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.” ~Thomas Aquinas There is no such thing as a joyless Christian. The culture of heaven is established in celebration. Scripture contains various commands for us to rejoice. Giving thanks is good … Continue reading Return To Joy
Whenever God says something for the first time, He sets a precedent. When God sets a precedent, His ways are known forever. Scripture provides numerous examples of God setting a precedent with His people. The joy of discovering more profound revelation through the written Word is realizing that God’s promises toward us have always been … Continue reading Precedent Of Love
