Why Bragging is Pointless
In 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 Paul smacks pride in the face. He keeps saying, “If I boast…I speak like a fool…I am a madman!” In Verse 17 he even explains that for him to brag about himself is not speaking on the Lord’s behalf, but it is as if he is speaking like a fool. He knows for him to...
The Color Clear
When people ask me what my favorite color is, I always say “clear.” Why? Well, the truth is probably because I want to be somewhat comical and different. But at the same time it always gets people thinking… it gets me thinking. What is “clear,” and can it even be considered a color? I’ve come to define the color clear as...
God Cannot Lie
“It is impossible for God to lie.” God can do everything, except not be God. Because He is God – meaning that He is holy, pure and true. Therefore, it is impossible for Him to lie. If He did, He would not be God. So you and I can rest assured that if God has said that He will save...
Essential Elements of a Gospel Call
The Gospel message of Jesus Christ is the core of Christianity. Yet, there are too many Christians that have misunderstood or under-defined this life saving message. If you ask every Christian you know to repeat the core elements of the Gospel message, I’m sure you would hear a plethora of different responses: The Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ… The Birth,...
Things I Can Do to Erase Conflict
Practical Steps for Anger and Conflict Resolution: Focus on what I can do to correct it Strive to understand the other person’s perspective Encourage open discussion, allow both parties to express their feelings First admit that I am part of the problem Recognize I cannot do anything to change the other person (only Christ can) Unpack on my thoughts about the issue and examine them...
An Orange after Preaching
(The following is from a note I wrote to chandler several years ago...) Chandler, Today you shared your first orange with me. We sat in the car waiting for your mom as she talked inside church. I was ravenous after preaching the Sunday sermon. I opened the first thing I could find to eat which was an orange rolling around in the backseat....
Doubt can propel our faith
I talk about being a kid often because life and believing seemed so much simpler then. When I was a kid I had a friend. His name was Ho-Do. He was my best friend, and to me he was as real as any other person. However, for the rest of the world, they could not see him, hear him,...
Eat to Lead
In An effort to lose my “Pastor pooch” or my “Bible-Belly-Bump” (a.k.a my bulging stomach), I’ve decided to cut back on the carbs. My wife and I are holding each other accountable to eat healthier. Yet, I gotta be honest – I do miss my Saturday morning waffles. I feel like Donkey on the movie Shrek who was attracted to...
Becoming A Trust Agent in Ministry
I’ve been reading a book called, “Trust Agents” by Brogan and Smith. The premise of this book is that we can learn to use the power of the Internet and all its tools to influence people honestly and effectively. The authors call for authenticity in a world wide web of ads, façades, and avatars. Their appeal for agents of...
Christ’s Persistence with My Stubbornness
Resistance is something Christ had to face often in His earthly ministry. From the Pharisees to the demons possessing people, He was familiar with having to confront the stubborn will of His adversaries. But how discouraging it must have been when He saw an attitude of resistance in His followers. It is expected for His opponents, both in this...
Alone in the Balcony: Looking for the Love of God
A few years ago I was speaking in a small town high school. In the middle of my talk a girl from the balcony shouted something out to me. I was not sure what she said, so right there on stage I asked her to repeat herself, but she ducked down and there was no reply. After I finished my talk,...
Creating a Biblical List of Goals for the New Year
One day while Molly and I were riding in the car I asked her, “Next year, at the beginning of 2012, what do you want to look back and say you accomplished in 2011?” She begin her answer with a quick review of what she had wished she had done differently last year and then said, “So here is...