Scot McKnight at Jesus Creed is my first stop for a thoroughly Jesus-shaped perspective on all things. Here’s his thoughts on the death of a bin Laden. There are a number of places to begin and ideas to consider. But I have to begin with this. Jesus said, “Put your sword back in its place,” … More Scot McKnight on the Death of Bin Laden
I’ve taken many biblical leadership inventories and spiritual gift assessments. Each seem to define the biblical gifts/ ministry offices differently. I enjoyed these definitions from Alan Hirsch’s Forgotten Ways website at http://www.theforgottenways.org. A good book, too. If you are involved in ministry, which of these best describes you? APOSTLES extend the gospel. As the “sent ones,” … More Five-Fold Apostolic Ministry
I found myself torn in my own reaction to the death of Bin Laden — wrestling with two Bible verses most of the past few days: Romans 13 and Matt 5:44. Romans 13 speaks of the government’s God-given role in bringing justice by use of ‘the sword.’ Thus, as an American citizen I was celebrating … More A Christian Response to the Death of Bin Laden (J. Merritt)
Repentance has a bad reputation these days. The word evokes images of judgment and angry preachers. Yet, biblically, this “turning” away from our sin and back toward God, results in something the Bible calls “times of refreshing.” Now, that sounds like something we all should welcome into our lives. “Repent, then, and turn to God, … More Times of Refreshing…Follow Repentance
A recent Christianity Today article made me cry. It’s called “The Pastor’s Speech: How ‘The King’s Speech’ Resonates with this Stuttering Preacher” Why was I so deeply moved by the film The King’s Speech? Yes, I cried during that, too. (And I’m not easily brought to tears at movies — unless its a kids movie … More The Stuttering Preacher
I came across this college assignment from when I was probably 19 years old. I had only recently recommitted my life to Christ and was only beginning the lifelong journey of true discipleship. My path took me through an early stage of zeal and coarse judgmentalism — a season I’m not proud of. I was … More A Personal Epistle
“Whenever a people are bound together in loyalty to a story that includes something as strange as the Sermon on the Mount, we are put at odds with the world.” – From Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony by Hauerwas & Willimon
“Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes. We all, therefore, need the books that will correct the characteristic mistakes of our own period. And that means the old books. All contemporary writers share to some extent the contemporary outlook – even … More Timeless Wisdom from C.S. Lewis
Rob Bell spoke these words over 3 years ago. Very relevant to the current “Love Wins” controversy.
Scot McKnight is starting a new, and significant, discussion at Jesus Creed today called “The End of Evangelicalism.” I think this is an important discussion to have, and he begins by asking two key questions. Enjoy. Many today are predicting the (even imminent) collapse of evangelicalism. Others, like Brad Wright, show that evangelicalism is flourshing, … More Who decides who is evangelical?
“In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centered on the living Christ. Then the church move to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became and institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America, where … More QUOTABLES: On Consumer Christianity
I’m reposting this always timely topic. This post was also featured at Jesus Creed last year HERE. We love to throw around the notion of career “calling” and “vocation,” both in the context of Christian ministry and secular career. I believe we’ve becomesloppy in our concept and understanding of “calling.” What we do agree on is … More Discerning God’s Call
Nearly 20,000 people gathered on Sunday, April 24th at Qwest field in Seattle to form the largest church service to ever take place in the Pacific Northwest. Pastor Mark Driscoll preaches on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the most important and influential man who has ever lived. His Twitter feed this afternoon … More A Stadium-sized Easter Celebration!
I have spent most of my adult life in youth ministry. This video gets to the heart of the biggest challenge facing today’s youth — and it’s only escalating and getting worse. My dear parents, teachers, youthworkers, coaches — we need to put our heads together and make some changes before it is too late. … More Race To Nowhere: Are We Stealing Our Kids’ Childhoods?
Ok, here’s a good discussion starter. I had coffee with a dear pastor friend of mine who was NOT happy about the way some churches are choosing to celebrate Easter. Many churches have decided a great way to celebrate Easter is by spending thousands of dollars on renting a helicopter and dropping thousands of plastic … More God so loved the world that He….dropped plastic eggs from a helicopter?
I’m reading the great biography of Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas. It’s very long and filled with wonderful quotes from Bonhoffer’s writings and letters. But the following quote rises above them all, one that so resonates with my own passion and convictions that I told Keri last night, “This would be a quote I would like … More QUOTABLES: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Here’s a story from a pastor friend of mine. We both enjoy watching squirrels, though I can’t say I enjoy reading about raising chickens. Enjoy! I was sitting on the outdoor patio of a great little coffee shop in the Swede Hollow neighborhood of St Paul yesterday. I was waiting for a phone call from … More A Squirrel Tale (by David Brown)
Donald Miller Tweet (@Donmilleris): “Every morning, I get up, brush my teeth, get dressed, and then watch this video. Then I go back to bed.” HILARIOUS!
“The deepest crevasse of hell is reserved for theologians who love their theology more than they love Jesus.” -Karl Barth
Some mysterious Spirit-initiated transformation happened inside me. The transformation was sparked rather suddenly around age 19 when I first began to hear the Living God speaking to me through the sermons of Pastor David Johnson of Church of the Open Door. Notice: I had been hearing sermons my whole life in church. But suddenly I … More Some Thoughts on Preaching
Jesus is quite clear about the purpose his disciples are supposed to serve as they follow Jesus’ unique way of life together as described in the Sermon on the Mount. They are supposed to be salt and light to those around them. The task becomes all that much clearer and challenging when we personalize this … More ‘Ye are the Light of Mound’
Kingdom Harbor 