04/19/19 Repentance and Patience
READING: Judges 15-17, Luke 13:1-21 I can see the scene in my mind. Jesus had emphasized the importance of repentance, calling people to turn from…
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7 Suggestions for Preaching the Resurrection Story this Weekend
Around the world, we will celebrate Resurrection Day this coming Sunday. Many people in many places will tell the resurrection story in many languages. If you’re one of those proclaimers, I humbly offer these suggestions for this weekend.
Read More04/18/19 Stirrings
READING: Judges 12-14, Luke 12:35-59 Once again, I sit in amazement as I read the Word of God. I’ve been around the world, and I’ve…
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A Surprising Reason that Church Revitalization Doesn’t Always Work
It’s fun to watch churches that once were dying now come to life again. I love it when I hear stories of resurrected congregations, and I’m beginning to hear more and more of those stories. At the same time, though, many attempts at revitalization don’t work. Here’s one reason why.
Read More04/17/19 Idolatry Conquered by Grace
READING: Judges 10-11, Luke 12:8-34 God’s grace is beyond my comprehension. His love is so much bigger than I am that I cannot grasp it….
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8 Reasons Church Pain Can be the Worst Pain
f you haven’t been through church pain, you probably will. We’re all fallen people—redeemed sinners—which means we sometimes still reflect our fallenness. Church pain, though, can be some of the deepest pain. Here’s why.
Read More04/16/19 Fear Only God
READING: Judges 7:24-9:57, Luke 11:37-12:7 I confess that I think too little about persecuted believers around the world. In the general ease of my Christian…
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Why Hanging out with Your Congregation before the Service Can Be Some of the Most Important Time of the Day
I believe that being among your congregation before the service can make a big difference in your pastoral ministry. Here’s why.
Read More04/15/19 Weakness
READING: Judges 6:1-7:23, Luke 11:14-36 It seems like the whole story of Gideon is about weakness. God called him to go against the Midianites who…
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7 Suggestions for New Pastors
I’m sure all of us who’ve served as pastor have things we’d like to tell new pastors. I make no claim that my suggestions are unique, but here are some simple suggestions for new pastors – and perhaps they will help veteran pastors as well.
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