12/14/18 Discipleship
READING: 2 Timothy 1-4 “But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy…
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5 Reasons It’s Important to Get Contact Information from Guests
I’ve previously written about ways that churches have greeted our “spies”/guests over the years. I’ve also written about surprising things that church members said to guests. That said – and fully recognizing that nobody wants to be embarrassed as a guest – I still think it’s important to work to secure contact information from guests. Here’s why.
Read More12/13/18 Encouragement
READING: Hebrews 5-8 “. . . And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 We miss one…
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10 Bad Reasons to not Attend Church this Weekend
I’ve been a pastor long enough to hear a lot of reasons for not attending church – some that just don’t make much sense. Here are some of those reasons I trust you will not use this weekend.
Read More12/12/18 Milk, Not Solid Food
READING: Hebrews 5-8 “But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14 I…
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Our Moment-by-Moment Choice: The Agony of Disobedience vs. the Joy of Obedience
Temptation hits. The enemy wants to entice us across the sin line. The “fun” of sin powerfully pulls us. We have to make a choice – and too often, we choose based on the temporary lure, but without regard for the consequences. I hardly always make the right choice, but here’s how I think about the options.
Read More12/11/18 Yet without Sin
READING: Hebrews 1-4 “. . . but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 Jesus felt the…
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7 Reasons My Wife and I Plan to Give More to God’s Work in 2019
I write this post as both a confession and a commitment. Pam and I already give to support God’s work – by recognized averages, better than most church folks do – but we want to increase our giving next year. Here is some of our thinking toward that end that perhaps will challenge you as you consider your own giving for 2019.
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10 Markers of Pastoral Bitterness
Pastors get smacked around in church work, and they often bear the scars of anger and bitterness. My fear is that many pastors let that bitterness settle into their hearts, and they never really deal with it. Here are some markers that catch my attention.
Read More12/10/18 Sojourners and Exiles
READING: 1 Peter 1-5 “Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you.” 1 Peter…
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