Because You Say So, I Will
God’s ways are higher than our ways, so it’s no wonder that some of His commands don’t always make sense to us. Throughout the Bible, we see examples of people being asked to do things that defy human logic. In the fifth and sixth chapters of Luke, Jesus repeatedly asked people to take actions that […]
Accountability and the Bible: Are Christians Supposed to Hold Each Other Accountable?
Not too long ago, I attended church where I had been the senior minister/pastor many years earlier. After church, I had a conversation with a man about a Bible professor we both knew from a Christian university who was teaching pro-LGBTQ theology. I voiced my concern about the increasing influence of more progressive professors on […]
Does Our Character Affect How We Understand Scripture?
Cultivating a virtuous character influences how we understand Scripture in three ways: it helps us understand Scripture’s relevance, Scripture’s requirements, and Scripture’s richness. Do our character and obedience play a role in how well we understand Scripture? This is an important question because it forces us to back up and ask, well, what is Bible […]
Practicing Periodic Disobedience
When you were a kid, did you ever find yourself saying, “You’re not my boss”? Hopefully not to your parents, but perhaps to a bossy older brother or a bossy neighborhood kid? Believe it or not, saying “You’re not my boss” is a great habit to get into. Let me explain. There are all sorts […]
The Words We Speak
How would your life change if the things you said came true? We talk plenty, but how many of those words motivate others to act—even ourselves? I came across this quote a year ago, and it stuck with me. “It would be a convenient arrangement were we so constituted that we could not talk better […]
Learning by Doing: Preparing People We Lead for Action
Several important things changed for my son during the summer between his 8th and 9th grade year of school. Not only was that the summer we moved from Iowa back to Missouri, but as Tucker was headed into high school, he grew several inches, got his braces taken off, and decided to make the switch […]
The Greatest Thing You Can Do In 2023
Paul knew Jesus. He experienced him personally on the road to Damascus. Paul was inspired. Paul had the Spirit. Paul had visions. Paul knew Jesus but there was still much to learn and Paul’s deep desire was to come to know him more! Paul wrote this about knowing Jesus: “But whatever were gains to me […]
7 Preaching Trends Needed in 2022 More Than Ever
Events since 2020 have disrupted a lot of churches and exposed weaknesses. A lot of church leaders were left confused and discouraged. In light of these changes, here are seven preaching trends we recommend moving forward. 1. Unity around mission is a must. Each day, a new issue divides the world we live in: politics, […]
