Last Sunday I preached a sermon on Mark 9:14-29 called “I Believe; Help My Unbelief!” Those were the words of the father of the boy who was demonized just before Jesus set both the boy and his father free by casting out the unclean spirit. In response to the Lord’s question about faith, the man [...]
Archive for June, 2009
Dealing with Doubt
Posted in discipleship, faith on June 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Morning Prayers
Posted in prayer, worship on June 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Lord,
May we learn the lessons You’re teaching us the first time.
As we gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ this morning, may we remember that it’s all about You, not us.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Against Originality
Posted in Bible, Ministry, Pastors on June 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
“Away with originality!” That’s what I need to say and practice in my calling as a pastor – a shepherd of God’s flock.
It is not my job to be original, to come up with things nobody has ever seen before in the Bible. It is not my task to develop new and novel explanation of [...]
Recurring Themes
Posted in Bible, faith in life, my life on June 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
“Look for recurring themes” is a common exhortation when reading or studying a document. The same should be true for our discussions and conversations with others, too.
Over the past several weeks, one theme has come up repeatedly and it doesn’t have anything to do with sports, politics, school, church, or even food – it’s the [...]
5 Good Books on the History of the Church
Posted in 5 Good... on June 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Here are 5 good books dealing with the history of the Christian church:
Church History in Plain Language, by Bruce Shelley (Word). A good survey which lives up to its title.
A History of Christianity (two volumes), by Kenneth Scott Latourette (Harper Collins). More academic, but still readable.
Christianity Throughout the Centuries, by Earle Cairns (Zondervan). Reads like [...]
“You Play to Win the Game”
Posted in Christian life, discipleship on June 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
“You play to win the game,” repeated a National Football League head coach several years ago when he was questioned about some of his strategy at the end of a particular game. There is a plan, a purpose, an aim, and a goal to every football game, he said.
A Christian has a goal and an [...]
Manure Stinks
Posted in Christian life, Quick Takes on June 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Manure stinks, but without it plants won’t grow.
Trials and suffering stink, but without them we won’t grow as Christians.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and [...]
