“I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” Revelation 3:1 Jesus didn’t have anything nice to say to the church in Sardis. Then again, why should he? It wasn’t really even a church any longer. There were just a few faithful folks left. They had a reputation for being alive, but as Jesus says, they were dead. He wasn’t talking about a season of dryness where they were bothered by the lack of their... Read more

On Sundays, before they preach, just go up and pray for them. Thank them for the things you appreciate about them. Send a thank you card to their spouse listing reasons you appreciate them. Send thank you cards to their children with specific reasons you appreciate them and their parents. Pray for them, and let them know you pray for them. Don’t join in gossip or complaining about them, and correct those who do. If you love them, tell them... Read more

“The only paradise is paradise lost.” –Marcel Proust School is finally out, the sun is up, and many of us are preoccupied with planning the perfect summer. These plans include fairs, festivals, parades, concerts, parties, cultural celebrations, and desperately needed vacations. What they generally hold in common is the pursuit of joy with fun people, tasty food, good music, cold drinks, and warm weather—relief from the captivity of an office cubicle. But the question persists: Why are we planning these... Read more

Even though I’m out of town on vacation with our family and largely offline, news of the horrific attack in Orlando got to us quickly. Seemingly everyone we encountered was checking the latest news updates, and processing how they were feeling about the tragedy. In case it could be of any help, I’m posting this blog as a Bible teaching Christian pastor hoping to help people think and pray through this widespread suffering in their own time of processing with... Read more

Find books and topics that you are genuinely interested in. Always have a book nearby so that you can spend the time breaks that come throughout the day to read a bit at a time. Use a pen, highlighter, or stylus (for digital books) to interact with your reading by marking up your book. Don’t worry about how fast you read, but rather how much you retain. Share what you are learning from your reading with someone to help you... Read more

Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:26 The Bible has a lot to say on the importance of family and honoring family. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6, echoing one of the Ten Commandments, of the importance of honoring our father and mother, citing it as the first commandment... Read more

Take a vacation. Have a plan. Let the entire family know what vacation will be so that they can look forward to it. Don’t make the plan too detailed or rigid. Ask every family member what they would like to experience on vacation. If possible, one of the parents should visit where you plan on going to scout it out in advance. Don’t take work along on your vacation. Have some fun. Get some rest. Do not allow technology to... Read more

Matthew 7:22–23 On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” And then will I declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Matthew 7:22–23 People tend to be religious by nature, which means they think they can justify themselves in one of three ways. First, loosely religious people assume they... Read more

Pray for your friend every day and let them know you are praying. Ask your friend how you can be a better friend. Check in regularly to see how your friend is doing. Send encouraging Scriptures to your friend in seasons when they are struggling. Quickly overlook minor offenses, and fully forgive bigger offenses. Learn to laugh at yourself and lighten up. Be generous, don’t be greedy. Say thank you for things you appreciate. Listen. Read more

Nearly every time I even mention Satan or demons in a sermon, someone walks up and asks, “Can Christians be possessed by demons”? This is one of those questions that many people answer too quickly. The problem is that the word possess has several meanings. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary it can mean three things. First, possess can mean “own” so that a Christian would essentially belong to Satan. Second, possess can mean “dominate” so that a Christian would be... Read more