God’s Way to Success
The Bible is an intimidating book. Let’s not deny it. But it’s also a simple book—a book we receive by faith, and act upon in obedience. In his book entitled The Good Book, Deron Spoo says it this way, The
Continue reading“Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.” – Psalm 119:24
The Heart of a Truly Effective Leader
The past couple weeks, our pastoral staff read through Jerry Wragg’s book on leadership with our two interns. Having previously read through Jerry’s book when it first came out in 2010, this was my second read-through, and it remains among
Continue readingGod’s Backhoe
“Delaying the fulfillment of our dreams seems to be part of refining and rescuing ambition,” writes Dave Harvey in Rescuing Ambition, which I finished reading while on vacation last week. It’s a really helpful book about the lost virtue of
Continue readingAre You Thriving or Diving?
We all go through times of trial. We are all tossed here and there by the storms of life. But how do we ride through the storms without sinking or drowning? Psalm 46 directs us to shift our focus from
Continue readingA 3-Sentence Definition of Biblical Counseling
In a nutshell, biblical counseling is the one-another ministry of discipleship whereby believers wisely speak scriptural truth into each other’s lives while bringing the refreshing hope of Christ (Rom. 15:14; 1 Thess. 5:14). This ministry of the Word is essential
Continue readingNUGGETS (for women)
As I collated helpful articles I’ve read the past week, I noticed most of them were written by, and directed toward, women. 5 Things I’d Tell My Newlywed Self – “God is for marriage and He wants us to make
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Being a Friend to those with Mental Struggles/Illness – It’s all pretty heavy stuff to deal with but do you know the single best thing you can do to help someone. Do We Need a Still Small Voice Before We
Continue readingSix Admonitions from Deuteronomy
Picture this. You are among the 40 years old and younger in Israel. You have watched your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all die in the wilderness because of their unbelief. You don’t wish to repeat their lack of faith
Continue readingNUGGETS
Mark Dever on the Problem of Unhitching the Old Testament from Our Theology – This is a key reason behind my current sermon series, From Garden to Garden. Social Media and Churches/Are You Addicted to your Cell Phone? – Thoughts
Continue readingThough We Are Faithless, God Remains Faithful
When I got saved in the early months of 1984, I met my wife a few months later. That fall we sang in a group called Lightshine. It was the musical outreach of a local Youth for Christ kind of
Continue readingNUGGETS
Here’s some articles I encourage you to read this weekend. Thoughts on Being a Father – Tedd Tripp reflects on 1 Thessalonians 2, drawing truths about a faithful father’s example and instruction. 5 Marks of a Servant Leader – What
Continue readingSermon Notebook
Listening well to sermons is hard work. Getting lasting benefit from them even harder. But this spiritual discipline usually pays rich spiritual dividends. So, I’m pleased to tell you about a new resource I picked up from Matthias Media, at
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Jesus Is Our Scapegoat
Last Sunday, as part of our sermon series From Garden to Garden, we looked at Leviticus 16 together. As we learned of God’s inauguration of the Day of Atonement, we focused most of our attention on the two goats which
Continue reading“Discipling the Flock” Is Now Available for Pre-Order
Shepherd Press announced last weekend that Discipling the Flock is now available for pre-order at 25% off. This is a short book to help church leaders bring about heart-based change in the lives of the people they shepherd, through the
Continue readingA Fresh Glance at the Ten Commandments
Those whom God redeems, He also sanctifies. Those whom He sets apart to Himself, He also sets apart from the world. That is a theme throughout Scripture (See, for example, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 18-20; 1 Pet. 1:14-16). Like these, there
Continue readingDiscipleship & Disability Conference
How do we minister the Word of God to those affected by disability so that we may fulfill our calling to make disciples? How do we best demonstrate the love of Christ in community so that disability ministry is part
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5 Questions for Choosing Bible Study Material for Women’s Groups – “May God grant you great wisdom and joy as you make these important decisions about Bible study materials, always with an eye toward your principal mission to equip the
Continue reading5 Keys to Unlocking the Value of the Ten Commandments
This Sunday, I will finish a two-part message on the Ten Commandments (as part of a larger, biblical theology, sermon series). So, I’m rereading a book I have found insightful in the past, God’s Rules for Holiness, by Peter Masters,
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