The goal of piety is to recognize and praise the glory of God—glory that shines in God’s attributes, in the structure of the world, and in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jonah the Reluctant Preacher
Jonah is often thought of as a children's story complete with a big fish, but the real message of Jonah is an adult one with an opportunity to stretch our understanding of God and salvation.
Children and Heirs of God (Galatians 4:4-7)
God adopted us because our reception as sinners into a familial relationship with God, by the work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, well—all of this is God’s gift, God’s work, God’s initiative.
Thanksgiving as Color Vision
When we neglect to give God thanks, our hearts become darkened, and we perceive everything in shades of grey. Our minds spin in futility, unable to grasp the reality of colors beyond our grasp.
Developing Christlike Character through Self-Denial
This Adamic nature, our innate sinfulness and rebelliousness, is a result of the curse of the Fall of Adam that has plagued the human family since the “original sin”.
Warnings and Prescriptions from a Christian Intellectual
we are often a thinking people. Rarely are we accused of being overly emotional. Personally, as a working minister, I sometime wish our congregations would do a bit more thinking
Book Review: The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
The Trellis and the Vine is a metaphor the authors use to introduce a mind-shift in ministry that they insist will change everything.
Negativity Bias, Charitable Interactions, and Learning to See the Best in Others
Our brains weigh us down with negative assumptions that ensure we fall short of the merciful, charitable attitudes we would like to manifest toward others.
I Came to Call Sinners: A Lenten Reflection on Matthew 9:9-13
We need to be a church that lives as if all people matter, because to Jesus they do.
"Are You the One?" An Advent Reflection on John the Baptist, Christ, and Us
There are a great many people today who are a bit confused by who God is.
Book Reviews: "The New Pastor's Handbook" and "The Pastor's Book"
I bought and consumed both and am thankful. I suspect that both works are "must haves" for pastors.
