In this post, I want to noodle around a bit with an idea and see what comes of it. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had several friends gently, lovingly, but forthrightly challenge my use of the word “failure” in a few of my recent posts. It seems that some have done so because they’re […]
Feed Me!
Genre Alert: The following post is a rant. They were once popular among bloggers, but have since all but disappeared, with good reason I’m sure. ******* “We just want to be fed.” Every pastor has heard it from someone. Sometimes you catch it when they’re coming and sometimes when they’re going. It’s something that church-going […]
September 15, 2010 by 13 Comments
Advice to Young Preachers
Since I used to be one, I thought I would offer some unsolicited advice to young preachers. Stop writing sermons for people who aren’t in the room. For the first few years after seminary, preachers write sermons to please their former professors. The more successful they are in doing this, the less effective they are […]
August 31, 2010 by 12 Comments
Being Happy for Jesus
There’s an element of the resurrection that is oft-overlooked when Christians celebrate Easter. Yes, the resurrection is good news for the world, and yes, it’s good news for sinners like us. But have you ever thought about how the resurrection is good news for Jesus? After all, he was the one who was dead! We’re […]
April 7, 2010 by 4 Comments
Why Do Storytellers Embellish?
If you’ve ever tried to tell someone a story about a memorable personal experience, you know how difficult it can be to communicate the event in such a way that the listener experiences a similar impact. Thus the phrase, “I guess you had to be there.” In order to overcome this obstacle, a good storyteller […]
March 3, 2010 by 6 Comments
How Long O Lord?
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Psalm 13:1-2 (NIV) How long O Lord? It’s a gut-wrenching question that keeps […]
December 7, 2009 by 1 Comment
Do Not Worry
In Matthew 6: 31-34 Jesus says, “So do not worry, saying, ?What shall we eat?? or ?What shall we drink?? or ?What shall we wear?? For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will […]
November 29, 2009 by 2 Comments
Do We Follow the Bible or Jesus?
I’ve been thinking a lot about what Jesus means in Matthew 5:17-20. He calls his disciples to a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees. How is this possible? I think it’s possible by following Jesus and his interpretation of Scripture as articulated through is words and embodied by his deeds. What is the difference […]
December 3, 2008 by 24 Comments
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons