As I was reading through a stack of pastoral resumes at a church where I was Interim Pastor, I was reminded that Pastors do get tired, but often they are working so hard, they fail to realize it. So perhaps it is time to share a list of some collected ways to know how a pastor is tired. (Not sure where I got all of these. Some might even be original with me.) Pastor-types will recognize a few of these and might even add a few more. Non-pastors need to realize some of these, to help them…

Antony moved secretly through the city. He was not exactly dressed like the Jews in the city, but he was fairly certain no one would recognize him as a Roman Centurion. Still, he was looking in every direction to avoid anyone he might know as he made his way to the home of a man named John. John already knew he was a Centurion. Antony would have to be wary of him. He was a leader in the group sometimes calling itself The Way. The rapid growth…

When we see the daffodils and tulips blooming during springtime, we often think of preparing our gardens. I grew up on a farm in the Midwest, and we always had a garden to grow our potatoes and vegetables. As I was thinking about sowing seeds in the garden, I was reminded of the fruit of the Spirit in (Galatians 5:22, 23 TLB) “But when the Holy Spirit…

Christian Nationalism #4

Five Principles for Discerning the News - cont'd

(Principles 3 – 5)

In my early blog post, I talked about the first two principles.  Now I will continue with #3,#4, and #5.

3. The enemy is never a monolith.

One of the myths that exist in any situation of conflict is the over-estimation of the opponent.  I remember some years ago when…

If you ask me anything in my

name, I will do it (John 14:14)

My life is wary of a wild world;

I'm a stranger in a crusty clime!

What a drudge to live each day!

Yet the day guards its brightness,

night its darkness; yet to see sun

slow its course, moon its stroll.

The elements in a pact with God,

with God who abides by his Word;

who won't peddle a fake promise.

What grace to flourish in his love:

ask by faith…

Daily devotional - Times Square Church, New York Feb 20, 2021

https://worldchallenge.org/devotion/three-broken-bones?ref=devos

THREE BROKEN BONES

You may be familiar with the I AM statements of Jesus. These are powerful declarations of the divinity of our Lord. Their original source is in the Old Testament with God appearing to Moses at the burning bush.

Exodus 3:13,14 reads,

Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said…

Dave Butts "Prayer Strategy for Ministry" resonated strongly with me, as does Nehemiah's prayer life.

https://praynetwork.ning.com/forum/topics/nppn-prayer-strategy-for-ministry

I also liked Phil Miglioratti's thought…

Rousing rays rise, drill through frowning

clouds. An orb, unused to haste, crawls

like waking sun, haloed with golden glow;

drills through a dark mass, full of blaze

no eye can reach.

It looks right, the sight; smells nice,

the fragrance of spring roses, against

choking stench of blood clots—the stain

of shame,…

Christian Nationalism #4

Five Principles for Discerning the News

(Principles 1 – 2)

I recall a meeting with a community organizer many years ago.  On her wall was a framed Hagar The Horrible cartoon.  The caption said: “Allies come and go, but a good Enemy will last a life-time.”  I remember that because in the world of political organizing you need a good enemy.  However, what is pragmatic for politics is…

We came away from our study with Miriam stunned. For months several of us had been gathering at her home for study. Each week she would talk about something Jesus said. One of us might be puzzling over something Peter or one of the other apostles said about Jesus at the temple where the church was meeting. She explained and helped us see Him like we never had before. We always came away loving Jesus more than we could ever have imagined. We…

David Wilkerson: DOES TOMORROW WORRY YOU?

February 10, 2021

https://worldchallenge.org/devotion/does-tomorrow-worry-you?ref=devos

Daily Promise

https://www.365promises.com/daily-promise/promise-41-wednesday-february-10-2021

Promise #41:

I will give you peace at all times and in every situation.



2 Thessalonians…

THE FREEWILL OF MAN

Some years ago I was fellowshipping with a group of pastors. One of them spoke of a common belief that I did not think could be found in the Bible. As a joke I said, “Do you have a favorite Scripture on that?” He had a great answer. “I think that is in the same place that teaches the freewill of man.” And you can look throughout the Bible and not find a direct statement of the freewill of man.…

The Lie

In my previous post, I said that I would talk about next steps to restore a Christ-centered orthodoxy to Evangelical Christianity and rid us of the scourge of Christian nationalism.  This is the first step – we must confront the loss of truth.  

In Ephesians, Paul admonishes us to speak the truth in love.  This has two parts: 1) a commitment to truth, and 2) a commitment to love.  Following this guide, I want to say that I love Evangelicals.  They are…