It’s popular in Christian circles today to talk about creating community. It is argued that one of the greatest things lacking in most of our churches is a sense of community, that we all belong, and are headed somewhere together — and actually enjoying each other’s company as we do it! Whole books are written about how to develop this community within your church. Church planters talk about founding communities of faith, hope, and love. Many churches will even put the word ... Read Full Story

Have you ever experienced a “Dark Night of the Soul”? When God seems silent, the Bible seems devoid of meaning, every day seems to grow blacker, and other Christians seems like aliens from another planet? In such times, you will often experience doubts and fears about things that you never would have doubted or feared [...] Read Full Story

I’ve never been one for prepackaged group Bible studies. Generally, I disdain them. To put it crudely, (in the words of a famous line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail) I fart in their general direction. I can’t tell you how many hundreds of hours I have spent yawning and eye-rolling through such studies. However, I was recently sent a group study which I not only like, but thoroughly recommend! Yes, this group study is worth the money you spend on it! It’s called The Tan... Read Full Story

When you watch a movie, do you watch it just for entertainment value? Let me suggest a different way: As you watch, be asking yourself, “What does this movie say about humans and our needs, about God, about religion, about the meaning of life?” Doing so really allows you to get more out of a movie than ever before. In the churches I am part of, one of the things I try to do on occasion, is host a movie study. I pick a movie, and open it up with some discussion questions to watch f... Read Full Story

Justification: God’s Plan & Paul’s Vision (IVP: 2009) is N.T. Wright’s attempt to explain once again his view on Paul’s use of justification. He wrote it as a summary of his view, and as a response to critics (primarily John Piper) who seem to not understand what he is saying. The book is written with ironic humor and remarkable restraint, but the most amazing feature is the Biblical paradigm shift that Wright presents to his readers regarding justification. Though most of what Wright exp... Read Full Story

Each one of us, every day, are surrounded by hell. Children getting sold as sex slaves. Terrorists trying to blow people up. Fathers losing their jobs and getting kicked out of their homes. Couples going through painful breakups. Desperate women selling themselves just to pay the rent. Alcoholism, drug addiction, greed. Even in churches, hell is present with the backbiting, slander, and jealous quarrels that so often go on. And just as Jesus came to this earth filled with sin, He wants us to ... Read Full Story

“Go to church and sin!     Attend Bible studies and multiply your sins! Volunteer to clean the church.    Faithfully tithe your 10%. Praise Jesus for all He has given you.    Thank God for your many blessings. For these are the things, Oh Christian, you love to do,”     says the Lord God.   “I hate your pot lucks.     Nor do I delight in your Christian concerts. Though you give generously to support the building fund,    And donate faithfully to the Christian organizations, ... Read Full Story

I have long thought that nothing in culture is so good that it can be accepted “as is.” Also, nothing in culture is so twisted and evil that it is beyond the scope of redemption. God can take anything and turn it around to bring glory to Him. God can take anybody and raise them up to glory and honor. Each one of us is the perfect example. However, while I believe that everything is redeemable, not every aspect about everything can be redeemed.   Last week, I read the following com... Read Full Story

Today in the M’Cheyne reading plan, I read Numbers 17-18. This section (actually, chapters 16-18) of Scripture has been bothering me recently because of the frequent struggles church leaders have with others in the church who either are leaders or want to be leaders. I’m sure all of us who have been involved in any sort of ministry position have experienced such tensions in ministry leadership. I know I have…and am. I have often thought how nice it would be to call for a ... Read Full Story

One of the things I try to do in following Jesus is spend time reading Scripture. It is certainly more difficult now than when I was a pastor, but the struggle to “fit it in” is helping me learn just how difficult (and important) Bible reading is for the ”working Joe.” About six years ago, I started using the M’Cheyne Bible Reading plan. I certainly have not done it completely all six years, but I find it one of the best plans available because of the variety of ... Read Full Story