Articles
Do You Have a Relationship with Jesus?
I know this seems like a strange question to ask in a pastor’s blog, but it is one Holy Spirit recently asked me. Like myself, you probably answered, “Absolutely” very quickly. Also, like me, you would be mistaken. The nature of a relationship is somewhat precarious....
4 Ways to Avoid the Pitfalls of Email
Reflecting on some of the mistakes I made in ministry I am thankful for the people who showed me grace but were also honest with me. One area where I was ignorant and needed accountability was email. I am not talking about how to technically use email, but how to...
Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets
My Dad had a terrible habit. I thought it was terrible, anyway. Or At least I thought so. He wouldn’t tell me what to do. Specifically, he wouldn’t tell me what to do when I didn’t know what to do and wanted him to tell me what he thought I should do. True, most kids...
Does Religious Activity Produce Disciples?
Throughout history, we humans have been trying to “become more Godly” through rigid discipline, controlled behavior, strict legalism, and an abundance of commandments. In fact, there approximately 1663 commandments found in the Bible, (613 in the OT and 1,050 in the...
That’ll Leave a Mark!
I vividly remember a number of years ago that we were moving some things on the platform of our church getting ready for some event. One of our Youth, who was maybe ten or twelve years old, was carrying a speaker probably a little bigger than he was when he slipped...
Life-Changing Lessons I’ve Learned from Persecuted Christians
We’re leaving for the airport in twenty-five minutes. I hope you’re ready. I’m rushing around my house, trying to figure out how to get my suitcase closed and which things in it I won’t actually need on the trip. I check my phone again to see what the weather is...
Keep It Simple
When we talk about disciplemaking, we’re talking about people who are “learners.” The Greek word discipulus means one who learns, who follows, who is ready to open up to the new. Disciples want to learn about Jesus, they want to learn from Jesus, and they want to...
Tranquility Pt 3 Steadfast Minds
Is peace a state of mind that comes naturally to you? Could you honestly say the words, “I feel completely at peace right now,” and truly feel it? In many ways, finding peace is a lost art. Your world may be filled with distractions and meaningless babble that capture...
Tranquility Pt 2 – Steadfast Minds
Is peace a state of mind that comes naturally to you? Could you honestly say the words, “I feel completely at peace right now,” and truly feel it? In many ways, finding peace is a lost art. Your world may be filled with distractions and meaningless babble that capture...
Tranquility Pt 1 – Steadfast Minds
THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY FOR YOU TO FIND AND FEEL A SINCERE PEACE THAT FILLS YOUR HEART AND SPIRIT You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. ISAIAH 26:3 Is peace a state of mind that comes naturally to you? Could you...
Language and Truth: A 25th Anniversary Essay
Here is a question: the classics of Christian literature over the last 1800 years or so—a bunch of old, dusty books or great and profound Christian thought that we should not ignore? Of course, there is some of both. Opinions will vary, but the very best of...
How to Make the Most of Your Online Services
Now that we are about a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, most churches have adapted to the “new normal.” This means nearly every church has started offering online services. Perhaps you feel like online services are not making enough of an impact. Or maybe you’re...
You Are What You Measure…In Missions
Do you like statistics and measuring metrics? Pastors everywhere love numbers, right? Are super inflated ones the best kind? Tongue-in-cheek, everyone knows that pastors get a bad rap for wanting to measure, measure and count, count and grow, grow. While acknowledging...
Alone, So You Wouldn’t Be
The most tragic reality of last Easter and too many other Easters is that so many people spend holidays like this alone, with no human connection; 2020 was agonizing because it brought funerals where loved ones couldn’t gather to mourn loss, empty bedsides where those...
How to Memorize Scripture by Accident
Full disclosure: You can’t memorize Scripture by accident; it does take effort. But if you put these following steps into practice, you will discover that it’s a lot easier than you think. These are the steps that I use to memorize Scripture, so I know they work and...
Feeding the Virtual Flock
Church emails can be a real blessing, communicating encouragement, concerns, information about the activities of the church body, service schedules and details, links to online services and classes, expectations for the future, and even teaching—a wide variety of...
Max Lucado: Give Your Fears to the Father
Are you struggling with fear today? Is it the pandemic, a job, food, something else? Are you seeing the size of your worries and not the size of your Savior? I think I can point you in a direction that might help you right-size your fear. I’d like to start with a long...
What About Stewardship?
Thoughts from the Back Pew The earth is the LORD’s and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it (Psalm 24:1). Everything I have belongs to God. Am I a good steward of the blessings God has given me? What does God desire I do with those gifts? We must be...
PILFERED WHILE WE SLEPT: Sacred Things Being Stolen
Pastor Resources · PILFERED WHILE WE SLEPT: Sacred Things Being Stolen Pilfer (intransitive verb) to steal; especially to steal stealthily in small amounts and often again and again. For example, a few grains of wheat in a large sack pilfered by a rodent in...
105 Ways to Follow Jesus
Pastor Resources · 105 Ways To Follow Jesus If you pay close attention while reading the Gospels, you discover that nearly every time Jesus talks with someone, He uses a new approach. He does so for good reason. After all, each individual starts at a different...
PASTORSLIFE.COM
FREE eBOOK
Subscribe Today and Receive How's Your Soul, Pastor? from Judah Smith – FREE!
