The 20th century pastor and author, A.W. Tozer, once said, "While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a god who hasn't surrendered his authority." Presently, the world is a little scary. Allow the Spirit of Christ to calm your soul with this song by Andrew Peterson. Do you … Continue reading Is He Worthy?
Grace Notes
It’s Okay to be Afraid
There’s a reason the Psalms are my favorite book in all the Bible: they help me to know the “heroes of the faith” were no different than I am/we are because what they run the gamut of human emotion. You’ll find both praise of God as well as anger at him. Faith and doubt. Joy … Continue reading It’s Okay to be Afraid
There Was a Man Named David
Have you ever done something you believed was the “last straw” with God? Have you ever felt like you've, finally - once and for all - ruined your life? NOTE: A follow-up to my message a couple of weeks ago about the Cross’s power over shame. Tullian Tchividjian (last name is pronounced “shuh -VIJ-uhn) is … Continue reading There Was a Man Named David
Do Prophets Still Exist? (The kind that can predict the future?)
FOX News recently published an article about pastor/author, Shawn Bolz, a self-proclaimed prophet as well as pastor of a church in Los Angeles, CA. Bolz isn't the first - nor will he be the last - modern day Christian to claim to have the spiritual gift of predictive prophecy. I use the adjective predictive because … Continue reading Do Prophets Still Exist? (The kind that can predict the future?)
His Mercies Are New Every Morning – however…
"His mercies (tender compassions) never fail - they are new (infinite; inexhaustible) every morning..." Let this promise from God sink into your weary soul. Drink it in. But know this important principle: as my family learned from a dear friend after my son walked into Paradise, we have to "pick up/claim" those mercies every morning. … Continue reading His Mercies Are New Every Morning – however…
Learning to Pray
Even Jesus' own disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." For years in working with students I would find myself listening to a teen yearn to learn to pray. We would pray together but I would also encourage them to read the prayers recorded for us by others over the centuries. I would encourage them … Continue reading Learning to Pray
The 23rd Psalm
Commenting on the 23rd Psalm, the famed 19th century British pastor, Charles Spurgeon, wrote: "It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. It has comforted the noble … Continue reading The 23rd Psalm
To My Fellow Pastors (and fellow believers)
NOTE: I've read MacDonald's book at least twice. But, presently, I am reading the other two books referenced in this blog. And the collective wisdom - and warning - dictated I share it with you, my friends. If Satan wants to take out the sheep, he'll begin with us - the shepherds, Love to you, … Continue reading To My Fellow Pastors (and fellow believers)
A Prayer in the Face of Christ’s Return
The Bible is either true in it's entirety, or it's a lie in it's entirety. On doctrine taught by the Bible is the Second Coming of Christ. Three times in the final chapter of the Bible Jesus, in essence, says, "I'm on my way." (Revelation 22:7, 12, 20) For those who have professed their faith … Continue reading A Prayer in the Face of Christ’s Return
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I often tell people that, within the context of Christian music, the words of most beloved hymns & carols boil down to this: those lyrics are someone's story put to music. As with the heart-breaking story behind Horatio Spafford's It is Well, we would do well to familiarize ourselves with the drama that gives life … Continue reading I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day