Image by Marisa Sias from Pixabay For the second entry in the “Books Pastors Should Read in 2023”, my pick is Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin. Seth is a successful author and expert in the field of marketing. Linchpin is not written from a theological standpoint, but the main argument applies to the world of the church, similarly to modern business. Seth argues that everyone should do their utmost to use their unique talents, skills, and knowledge in their work... Read more
My heart breaks when I read the beginning of the story of Saul in 1 Samuel. Saul experiences a tragedy-filled life because God’s people have decided they want an earthly king. He reigned over a kingdom torn apart by the competing desire to rule as king and submit to God as the true King. It is a stark warning that Christians in America would do well to contemplate. The Search for a King At first, Saul did not want... Read more
The paradox of Jesus Christ’s resurrection is that the empty tomb is the very thing that fills our souls. Humans have searched elsewhere and tried everything in an attempt to find satisfaction and have failed. The promises the world makes leave us thirsting for more and our desires unmet. The Not Yet The day between Jesus’ death and resurrection must have been terrible for the disciples. They all abandoned their friend at the first hint of trouble. Peter went even... Read more
I have looked at many pastoral job openings and read the job descriptions and requirements. I cannot recall one referencing being a professional foot washer. Yet Jesus taught his closest friends a key lesson in being a servant the night before His death. Servant Leader Jesus got up from the table, put on a towel, and began to wash the disciple’s feet. His act was one of service, reserved for servants or those with little prestige. The people held a... Read more
I ended my last post with the charge, “We must go and do.” If you genuinely want to change your heart to change the world, you have to start somewhere. The following list is not unique or new, but I need reminders throughout life’s craziness. Also, due to the nature of posting a blog online, I will be brief and not provide a long list of resources. If you would like further information, please see the information at the end... Read more
People ask, “why do bad things happen to good people?” But I think a more pressing question is why evil is commonplace today. Already Done, but Not Yet Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was the knockout blow against sin and death. He rose from the dead, a conquering King, his kingdom secured and proclaimed. But the world did not seem to get the message. Jesus even anticipated this, telling his disciples, “There will be trouble in this world, but this... Read more
I love finding new music, especially if it is unique and creative. Jervis Campbell is an artist I stumbled across earlier this year, and I have not been able to keep his songs out of my daily listening list. Unique and Creative My taste in music is broad. I frequently listen to songs or albums from singer/songwriter to folk, pop, rap, and hard rock. My favorite musicians have unique sounds and creative visions but still make good music. I also... Read more
This is the first entry in the series Books Pastors Should read. The first offering is “I Take My Coffee Black” by Tyler Merritt. The books in the series are books I have read and found to help me think about God, the church, or both. If Only You Knew Tyler writes his book, which opens his life for you to see because he wants you to know who he is. He begins with a story that happened recently in... Read more
I am not a coffee lover. I can’t tell the difference between good coffee and bad coffee. Every coffee tastes bitter and burnt. Yet I have trained my body to consume significant amounts of coffee. One of the perks of my job is free, on-tap coffee within a few steps from my desk. When I thought about something to give up or deny myself during Lent this year, I settled on caffeine. Quitting Coffee Cold Turkey Honestly, I don’t... Read more
Is God a good, good Father? We experience earthly parenting, some of which is good, and some is bad. I want to explore why the Bible talks about God as a parent and what that means for those who follow Jesus. Father Knows Best In my previous post on hope, I explained that our human language fails when discussing God. Our minds are just too small to understand God completely. So when analogies are used in the Bible to explain... Read more
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