Feb 26, 2020 | Church Matters, Perspectives, Podcast
As much as you and I may dislike it, we can’t argue with the fact that people are attending church less often than they used to. It’s not uncommon for someone to attend church once or twice a month. That’s becoming the norm, and even your most committed members...
Feb 24, 2020 | Devotion, Personal Development, Perspectives, Podcast
For many, a life of prayer and spiritual depth is not for them. It’s not that they do not desire it; it’s that they believe it is out of reach. There’ve been too many false starts in their spiritual life. A lot of well-intentioned declarations of commitment...
Feb 21, 2020 | Church Matters, Inspiration, Leadership, Pastor's Life, Personal Development, Podcast
The recently deceased monk Thomas Keating said that to be human is to carry three lifelong needs—the need for approval, the need for security, and the need for control. These needs are not bad; in fact, they are hardwired into our souls by God himself—so that he...
Feb 19, 2020 | Creativity, Personal Development, Podcast
I am fairly determined when it comes to accomplishing a task. My wife, Diane, would even say that I’m hard-headed! Guilty as charged. As an endurance athlete, that is even more important. Maybe it’s just a manifestation of my German descent, but I don’t...
Feb 17, 2020 | Church Matters, Inspiration, Pastor's Life, Perspectives
If you’re considering planting a new church or prayer group, gaining and maintaining the support of a core group of like-minded people will be very important. My wife and I participated in a church plant some years ago that began in our own home with five...
Feb 14, 2020 | Personal Development, Perspectives, Podcast
Sometimes, it’s too hard to keep living in a home with memories of your loved one. It can be difficult to put distance between yourself and the memories while finding the closure you need. While it’s typically inadvisable to sell your home when you’re...
Feb 12, 2020 | Church Matters, Personal Development, Perspectives, Podcast
During the past two decades, there has been a technological revolution in advertising and entertainment. Graphics software has made it possible to produce astoundingly beautiful images that would have been unimaginable as late as the nineteen nineties....
Feb 10, 2020 | Church Matters, Leadership, Pastor's Life, Personal Development, Podcast
It’s important to long for revival for a few reasons: First, it has some biblical basis. The Psalmist prays, “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” It’s right there: a prayer for the revival of the Jewish people and their...
Feb 7, 2020 | Church Matters, Perspectives, Podcast
While there are several levels to calling and various ways God can extend a leadership call, nowhere does the Bible teach that either gifts or secondary callings are bestowed according to gender. In fact, women preached, prophesied, and led in both the...