I owe more to N.T. Wright for my understanding of faith and the Bible than anyone else. Period. If you’ve never read a book by Wright, this might be a nice way to ease into his style and brilliance this season of Advent. From the publisher: Advent for Everyone: A Journey with the Apostles provides … More The Wright Christmas Gifts
So, I walked into a Holiday Gas Station bathroom this week, and suddenly a light from Heaven burst through the dim light of that grimy little stall and I felt the Presence of the Divine touch my shoulder and smile upon me! Bear with me….I’ll explain … More Epiphany in the Porcelain Sanctuary
“Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” – St. Francis of Assisi Modern readers tend to take the above statement as a kind admonition towards acts of charity and service in the name of Jesus. But, they are usually quick to make clear that the primary means of evangelizing is through … More A City on a Hill: A Biblical Theology of Missions
Here’s a book I wrote exploring the big plot of the entire Bible through the metaphor of a Divine Symphony or the Dance of the Trinity. Just in time for Christmas! … More My Take on the Bible’s Big Story
As we begin to wrap up this year, I’m taking inventory of some of my reading activity this past year for future reference. I read more than usual this year due to two main factors. First, I started school again for my doctoral degree and this is requiring thousands of pages of academic reading! Second, … More 2017: A Bookish Year
I wanted to share one other encounter in the nursing home chapel this past week. As I went around shaking hands, I tried to make eye contact and said things like, “God bless you!” or “Have a Merry Christmas!” One gentlemen sat expressionless in his wheel chair, waiting for his turn to be pushed back … More “It’s Good to See You!”
Two voices spoke from single face: One named truth, the other grace. Truth was stern, direct and strong, Truth declared the right from wrong. Truth proclaimed the pure and right, Truth distinguished dark from light. Everything he spoke was true; Truth had perfect point of view. Overwhelmed by all he said, I sat, I wept … More Truth & Grace (by Darrelyn Tutt)
When God’s Word is unleashed in a room with passion and fervor, let people drop to their knees with conviction, rise up with cheers of excitement, or form an angry mob and try to throw me off a cliff; just deliver me from the spiritual wet blanket of indifference. … More Deliver Me From Indifference
By Mike Fox On my desk at work I have a scripture-a-day calendar. When I get to work in the morning, one of the first things I do is tear off yesterday’s verse and look at the new verse. I never look ahead. I look forward to the surprise. Last week one of the verses … More “Here I Am!” (by Mike Fox)
I took a long, deep breath and caught a strong whiff of a memory of a moment that probably never happened. Was I smelling joy or sadness, gratitude or longing in that old pole shed? Was I really searching for an old book in that oversized shed, or something less tangible like a feeling of nostalgia, or a burst of joy, or the echo of a memory of a time I never knew and a place I never lived when things were perhaps simpler, more wholesome. … More Antiquing: In Search of Something
The focus of this new season of Advent is to beg God to intervene (“come down”) in our sin-stained world and rescue us from the filthy mess we’ve made of this world and our own lives. One huge mess being paraded past us in the headlines daily is the flurry of sexual harassment allegations against very public figures. … More Breaking News: Man Caught Being Faithful (#MeToo)
By Peter Scazzero “You are concerned about many things. Only one thing is needful.” -JESUS Instead of highlighting The Fastest Growing Churches, I recommend we highlight The Slowest Churches, i.e. those that help us most to slow down and pay attention to God, ourselves, and others. When our churches continually remind our people that “only one thing … More Only the Slow will Reach the World (Peter Scazzero)
A letter to my church: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (Phil. 1:3). Tomorrow most of us will be gathered around a big family table sharing not only food but also the full array of emotions that come with being together with extended family and relatives. If you had the … More A Thanksgiving Reflection
Compiled by Brian Dodd Andy Stanley’s latest book, Deep & Wide, is the definitive leadership book of this generation. Now onto the quotes: Blessed is the man who gets the opportunity to devote his life to something bigger than himself and who finds himself surrounded by friends who share his passion. As leaders, we are … More Leadership Quotes from Andy Stanley
“Oh! How dear and precious to your heart you will find God to be when you thus behold him in Christ. Because in Christ you have the true manifestation of him.” P. P. Waldenstrom (1838-1917), Swedish Covenant Pastor & Theologian I’ve been exploring the meaning of Jesus’ death and atonement theology recently. We just watched … More Cross, Atonement & Paul Peter Waldenstrom
From I Am A Church Member by Thom Rainer: Pledge #1: I will be a functioning church member. I like the metaphor of membership. It’s not membership as in a civic organization or a country club. It’s the kind of membership given to us in I Corinthians 12, “Now you are the body of Christ, and individual … More Six Pledges of Church Members
I’m rereading the great book The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible by my teacher, Scot McKnight. I can’t believe its already been nearly 10 years since I first devoured the book (half of it in the bookstore!), and now am studying with Scot! I’m preparing to preach on the importance of grasping the … More Blue Parakeets & the Bible’s Big Story
I was alone at the church this Wednesday, preparing a large table for our second “Agape” gathering — a new monthly celebration of the Eucharist. I found my soul anxious and my spirit restless. I was physically tired, but mostly suffering from fear of disappointing others and myself. Whenever I put my hands to some … More Justifying My Existence
“The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.” -Ghandi “Have a safe trip!” we say as they drive out of the driveway. “Safe travels!” we say as we drop them off at the airport. “HAVE A SAFE SUMMER,” the school sign reads as kids leave for summer break. Such commonplace … More Don’t Let Fear Win
Here’s a question from a former student of mine. Great question for Halloween! Q: What do you believe about spiritual warfare and its affects on people, including believers? I know it is pretty open ended question and topic but I am not quite sure what type of answer I am looking for. Any input would … More Q&A: What do you believe about Spiritual Warfare?
I have enjoyed reading through many of Menno Simon’s writings this week. A great website has made them available to us at http://www.mennosimons.net. Here’s an excerpt from a letter called “A Kind Admonition” that spotlight’s a key focus of Menno’s teachings: the new birth that results in a new life shaped by the example of … More “A Kind Admonition” by Menno Simons
This week I’m introducing Menno Simons and the Anabaptist movement to our congregation in our final week of Reformation profiles. I struggle in my own prayer life as my mind so easily wanders off. I have found it helpful to pray through scriptures. I often suggest others experiment with this as well. If you want a … More Praying a Psalm with Menno Simons
I feel extremely blessed to be doing further studies at Northern Seminary under Dr. Scot McKnight. For friends, family and members of my church, I’m excited to share some glimpses along the way into what I’m learning. I’m part of a new, one-of-a-kind Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program with a historical focus on the Jewish … More Becoming Doctors of the Church
This is the concluding section of a research paper on “Rabbi Jesus & the Embodiment of Torah” exploring the Rabbi-Pupil relationships and dynamics in the ancient world — especially the role of charisma and personality in church teaching. At First Church, Pastor Stern had the difficult task of succeeding the long-tenured and beloved Pastor Slick who … More Jesus, Rabbinic Judaism & Personality-Driven Ministry Today
From Pete Scazzero: Leading people in the name of Jesus is complex, demanding great wisdom and discernment. I have dedicated my adult life to the study of leadership. I have written books on leadership, read innumerable books on the topic, and attended more than my share of leadership conferences. But for the last 18 months, … More Jesus’ Radical Leadership (Pete Scazzero)
Kingdom Harbor 