Articles
Discipline or Desperation? The Key to Living Free in Christ.
One evening, after decades of a Christianity driven by rules and performance, I came impulsively close to ending my life. Until that moment, my relationship with God had been primarily about Bible content and the discipline to obey. But that night, everything changed....
Demonstrating Gentleness
Demonstrating gentleness toward others, especially when they’re against us, means we’re walking in the humility needed to handle others with care. In the ways we speak and the ways we act. Gentleness is a determination to encourage and bless others as we interact with...
Five Biggest Tax Mistakes Made by Pastors
…and What You Can Do to Avoid Them It’s tax season again, and pastors across the U.S. are gathering the financial documents necessary to carry out their civic duty. With inherent complications of ministerial tax treatment, albeit with some benefits. How can ministers...
Hope When Your Heart is Breaking
Truck drivers see it all the time. I’ve seen it a few times when we’ve needed to drive through the night. It comes about the time you’ve opened the window on a frigid night. And you’ve turned to the most annoying radio station you can find. Because the night is...
The Healing Power of God
When Curt was diagnosed with brain cancer, all of us were heartbroken. All except Curt, who stood tall and resolute. He told us God was in control. On the eve of the day the doctors would operate, our group of seven held a healing service in Curt’s home. I had never...
Leadership Success in 10 Minutes a Day
Why do leaders sometimes struggle with decision-making? There are at least five major reasons. The first is fear of the unknown. The leader may not have knowledge or experience concerning the choice at hand. He or she may be looking for some sort of assurance or even...
Six Benefits of Studying God’s Word with Others
We all know that studying the Bible on your own is foundational to the Christian life. But how important is it to do it together? If leading or attending a small group Bible study sounds like an unnecessary commitment to you or members of your congregation, here are...
Becoming What We Sing
Following American Idol’s season 7 “Idol Gives Back” episode on FOX, viewers raced online to react to pop-star competition. Contestants performing Darlene Zschech’s contemporary worship staple. “Shout to the Lord.” Some regarded this performance, which was on the...
Everyone in Your Wake
"Everyone in your leadership wake benefits when you do the personal work to shrink your integrity gap." Whether one or millions follow you, how you live and lead matters. You and everyone you influence benefits when you wake up to the importance of shrinking your...
Jerusalem – Cardo
Revival that spreads rapidly often–if not exclusively–is a result of persecution and/or efforts at the very least suppressing God’s people. The Carto, a bustling street in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem is a perfect example of this reality. The Romans...
Cruciformity and Knowing Your Limits
We can make several points about cruciformity that will help us to see that this is the most hopeful reality possible for pastors and ministry leaders. First, being a person claimed by the cross means that God is pouring out resurrection life on me to renew the image...
MEGIDDO
As excavators brought Megiddo back to life, they saw a stronghold. This place was the intersection between Assyria and Egypt – the main trade route between the east and the west. In Revelation 16:16, Har Megiddo is even referred to as Armageddon. When we think of...
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...
