Doubt Boldy
“Do you just think there’s a God or do you know?” my pastor shouted. “I don’t THINK; I KNOW!” The preacher kept working up the crowd until almost every hand was in the air, agreeing that they had no … Continued
The Bible and the Painting That Came to Life
I love the Bible. It amazes me how some preachers and teachers can take the most exciting book ever and make it boring. Making the Bible boring ought to be a crime. Not that I’ve always felt this … Continued
The Most Important Ability
Roy* is a Pied Piper to college-age guys who’ve never had a strong, healthy man in their lives. They feel safe with him. But he also shoots straight, telling them what they need to hear even when it’s hard. … Continued
30 Minutes to Inner Peace
Feeling stressed? Overwhelmed? Confused? Try starting your day with this simple guide for morning prayer. 1. Be still. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10, KJV) Quiet yourself in God’s presence. You may want to … Continued
When Your Cup Is Empty
About a month ago I woke up feeling so overwhelmed that I told my wife, “I don’t want to talk to anyone I know today except you.” I notified my staff that I would not be in the office … Continued
A Robust Theology of Suffering
Work was slow and I wondered if I would have to find a new job. I didn’t know how I’d pay my bills. And I was sleeping for the moment in a friend’s guest room because I didn’t have … Continued
Evil Wisdom
The lead pastor of a fast-growing congregation is a charismatic speaker, a strong leader. He really knows his Bible! But he believes his ideas are almost always best. Some staff members feel like he never listens to them. When conflict … Continued
He Restores My Soul
In the aftermath of the most devastating trauma of my life, my days were buried under an oppressive, raw pain, with no end in sight. I could not even imagine a future worth living. Each morning when I woke … Continued
To Change Hearts, Change the Question
posted in: Cross-cultural ministry, Making disciples, Ministry with the poor, Small groups, Spirituality |
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After such a promising start, it was shocking how fast the Bible study group fell apart. There had been a great mix of people—several from our low-income neighborhood, along with some suburban couples who were serving as volunteer urban … Continued
Church Without Masks
“Why are masks so common in some churches yet rare in others?” At our church retreat last week, during the Saturday morning session a man who just started attending our church confessed that he struggles with meth. The … Continued