A Book Review of “Shift”
Haynes, Brian. 2009. Shift: What it Takes To Finally Reach Families Today. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing. 2009 There is a massive void in the church today. People are looking for clarity on how to raise children who love God, and the Church is failing to fill the gap and stand with parents in the duty of discipling their Children. Most...
Is It Safe to Travel to Israel?
Listen to an interview I did with Shalom Almog in Israel, the owner of Coral Tours: I’ve been to Israel many times and never felt unsafe. The times I spent in downtown Chicago were far more frightening to me than any of my night walks in Israel. But let’s be honest, Israel has never known life without conflict. Israel has been...
A Book Review of “From Eden to The New Jerusalem”
Alexander, T. Desmond,From Eden to the New Jerusalem, United States, Kregel Academic & Professional, October 13, 2009 In 2005, during my studies at the Moody Bible Institute, I was deeply moved by the scholarship and storyline of biblical theology. After understanding the differences between systematic theology and biblical theology, and respecting the rightful place and practice for each, I declared...
Is it a Sin to be Hangry?
You've probably seen the Snickers commercials about a person who turns into something crazy just because they haven't eaten. Yet of course, upon the magical bite of a Snickers Bar®, life is suddenly better. I think Hershey had it right with this ad. When I don't eat, it is best if everyone just backs away. Today was one of those days. I...
Does Your Worship Mean Anything to God? [sermon]
Although people were created to enjoy intimacy with God, we continually chose to value other goals, pursuits, and possessions as more beautiful and worthwhile than knowing God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we must battle a persistent root of self-centeredness is always drawing us toward self-aggrandizement over worship of God. We must worship God as He deserves...
Let’s Talk… Mark Elfstrand Interviews Josh About the Florida School Shooting
It is always a pleasure to visit with my friends at AM 1160 in Chicago on Let's Talk with Mark Elfstrand. The following is the transcript of the interview done on February 20, 2018 where we discuss the recent school shooting in Florida. Note: the content has been edited slightly for readability. Mark Elfstrand: Well, my next guest is our...
Remembering Reverend Billy Graham
Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God. ~Billy Graham I can remember sitting in the far back bleachers of the St. Louis arena watching Billy...
In Case You Catch Me Crying…
It is safe to say that I am not a cryer. At least not until recently. Now my eyes seem to leak often. While I appreciate a good bought of tears now and then, I don’t cry easily. Yet, ever since the death of an officer in our community, I have found myself crying several times a day. The last...
14 Surprising Facts You May Not Know About Pastors
By definition, a pastor is one who "shepherds his flock." You know this means he preaches, officiates weddings, and probably has meetings in his office to explain some theological question; but what is the role of pastor really like? Here are 14 surprising facts you may not know about pastors: We fight the balance between pleasing...
How to Improve Self Image through Awe of God
Do you remember the first time you rode a roller coaster, saw the mountains, kissed another person, ate the best burger, held your child? There is an AWE in first experiences. They sweep you away with emotion and you swear your life will never be the same. I want you to imagine for a moment feeling that same kind...
How to Change Your Perspective on Life
I was recently rereading the Christmas story as told by the Gospel of John. He is the only Gospel writer that seems to leave out the whole Bethlehem story, or any account of lineage or Mary and Joseph out. Yet he boldly states the "Light came into the world." This is the best summary statement of the Christmas story. THE...
Do We Have a Cosmic Case of Transference? [sermon]
Mission Hills—It is good to be home! My name is Josh Weidmann. I had the privilege of serving as a teaching pastor, among other things, and it is good to come back to see faces I love and people dear to my heart. It’s home! It so neat to see the new things you are doing here! Congrats on...