“I don’t need to go to a building to meet with God.” “I can read my Bible and pray anywhere.” “I love Jesus, but I’m against organized religion.” I hear these types of statements often, usually as a justification to skip out on the weekly gathering of God’s people (church). It’s true that we can…
Category: Christian Living
Thinning the Peaches
“I know it hurts, but you gotta do it.” I could relate to what the man on the Youtube video said. His video taught how to nurture a peach tree to get the biggest and sweetest fruit. This time of the year my peach tree is filled with hundreds of dime-sized peaches, but the secret…
The Goodness of God’s Wrath
Last year, a video went viral that rightly sparked outrage. A man brutally attacked a 65-year-old woman in Manhattan in broad daylight while the attacker shouted out racial insults. The video shows three men watching from the nearby lobby, one of them the building’s security guard. None of the three men did anything to help…
Three Tips For Understanding the Book of Revelation
I’m currently in the “last days” of teaching a bible study on the book of Revelation. I started the study somewhat hesitantly knowing there are so many wild interpretations of difficult passages. However, throughout the study I’ve been constantly encouraged and blessed by the truths of God’s Word. Many believers avoid Revelation because they find…
All I Have Left
Fear does its best work in the night. I wake up at 3am struck by a terrible thought stirred by a bad dream. Some fearful situation enters my mind and I wonder how I would handle it. What if something were to happen to one of my kids? What if I lost someone I love?…
Ridiculous Rebellion and Boundless Grace
You are praying, but even as you do so there are doubts. You’ve proven sinful yet again and go to the Lord asking for mercy, but it seems there’s no way he’ll grant it this time. Surely, you’ve worn out your welcome…surely he’s tired of forgiving someone who can’t seem to get it right over…
Tolerating Jezebel
It should have been an easy victory. So easy, in fact, Israel decided not to send their whole army. Instead, they sent a meager 3,000 troops who, they felt, could easily defeat Ai. But that’s not what happened. What should have been an easy victory turned into an embarrassing defeat and the loss of thirty-six…
Immediate Grace
I parked my truck and opened the door into the darkness of the morning. All alone on the country road, I began warming up before starting my run. Over the course of the next few miles, I might see one or two cars on the backroads, which makes them a great place to exercise. However,…
Six Favorite Reads of 2021
‘Tis the season for “best of the year” lists! So, without further ado, here are a few of my favorite reads for 2021 in no particular order: Deep Discipleship by J.T English How can churches develop deep disciples in a time when so many are highly influenced by social media, the news, etc? English precisely…
Walking the Streets of Gold
Last week I preached the funeral of a dear friend and sister in Christ. The Lord used her as a constant reminder of his amazing grace to me and so many others. I knew her as Mrs. Jo, and she passed away at the age of ninety-eight. Every Thursday she came to Bible study eager…