Theological elitists, keep moving along. There’s nothing that will interest you here. Jacked-up sinners, like me, pay careful attention. We all need a few easy-to-remember axioms that get us through the day. As a man of habit who has struggled with self- condemnation through the years, I’ve white-knuckled these truths in the middle of my…
Category: Blog
A Word of Advice from Jesus’ Mother
There are many universal sayings that all mothers end up reciting at least once if not a thousand times. Wash your hands before eating. Play fair. Don’t follow the crowd. Be yourself. Trust me. Get some rest. Pull those weeds in the back or they’ll kill the tulips! Listen to your father. Don’t go out…
Four Foolish Filter Fails in Bible Study
I was having coffee with a friend the other day. He’s one of my favorite people in the universe and I love his take on the Bible and church. Our church models are very different. Still, we marveled that even though our churches are about as different as Switchfoot and Lecrae, we’ve both experienced the same…
Letting God Out of the Box
I’m always amazed how the church as a whole is so quick to throw rocks at the sheep in the fold. We question each other’s theology, spar over worship philosophy. We’ve got more fusses than one tongue can tell while outside the world is going to hell. We are driven by creeds, and motions, and…
7 Things that Happen When We Worship Together
You and I came to the game late but we are invited to stay for eternity and as we worship God begins to teach us new concepts, new subtleties, new songs… What is God teaching you as you worship.? Here are a few things He’s been teaching me. When we worship, life becomes a festival rather…
10 New Names and 1 Idea!
In the eighties, church job titles were pretty simple. We even had decision cards that you could fill out if you felt “called” to “special service.” You might feel called to be a _____ Pastor _____ Music Minister _____ Youth Minister _____ Minister of Education _____ Foreign Missionary (Check one.) That’s it. Check the nature of…
I Am in a Hurry
I have more days behind me than I do in front of me so I am in a hurry. I can’t afford to be cynical, satisfied or slow. I don’t want to do anything halfway for You. I don’t want to be pulled away by self interest, pride, or opposition. I don’t have the time to live…
It’s Saturday
It’s Saturday. The tomb is sealed. The guards are in position. The sheep are scattered. The light is gone. There is nothing more than silence on the other end. These are the times when we look back and replay all our errors and missed opportunities. The words we should have said… The swords we should…
It is Friday
Jesus remains on the cross, suffering unimaginable traumas. He is deserted by fearful disciples, surrounded by tormentors, thieves, murderers, and religious provocateurs. Soldiers gaming over the final scant possessions of the Master of creation, ignore the darkening sky. Jesus cries out: “My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?” On this holy day, God’s…
Some Candidates Remind Me of Church Members
This has been a difficult political season for America to say the least. Campaign presentations are louder, angrier and crazier than this country has ever experienced. However, I hear a faint whisper in my head that says “I’ve seen these people before.” Most pastors have. Who would these candidates resemble if they joined the church?…