Moving: The Way to Your Gifts
October 19, 2010I’ve been thinking and speaking a lot of about God’s will, gifts, purpose, God’s calling, etc. And sometimes I think we just make too darn hard what God has made rather simple. Lot of Christians wrestle with questions like, What is it that God wants me to do with my life? How do I know God’s will? How do I identify my gifts? Some churches have their members undergo a spiritual gifts survey. I think this is good, though we don’t do that at Gages Lake, though that doesn’t mean we never would, because we might find that a useful…
Continue ReadingKids These Days . . . .
October 12, 2010In the last month or so, I’ve had a chance to speak to a few different groups of Christian teens, from Christian school kids, to home-schooled kids, to groups of youth group/public schooled Christian kids. I have to say that while the settings were vastly different, there is a theme that emerged for me that I must write about. The next generation will be fine. I know that runs counter to the scary stuff Barna continually churns out about how the next generation is going to fall into the sea spiritually, because we haven’t trained them right. I know my…
Continue ReadingJesus Endorsement of My Prayer
October 8, 2010I’m wrapping up my message for Sunday from John 16:23-28. This is a comfort given by Jesus as he is closing his time with the disciples in the Upper Room. Jesus had just unfolded a ton of truth–Holy Spirit, Heaven, Future, Fruit-bearing–all stuff we look back on and understand because we have the full revealed Word of God and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. But the disciples faced an uncertain future. So Jesus gives them, repeatedly, the promise that they would now be able to approach God because of Jesus. So it got me to thinking about what this…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Intervew: Tony Merida
October 8, 2010I’m always excited to meet new authors, especially new authors who are pastors, and especially new authors, who are pastors, who publish with my friends at New Hope, who has published all my books. I was asked a few months ago to consider endorsing a book by Dr. Tony Merida, entitled, Orphanology, to be released in 2011. I read through the draft and came away very impressed and inspired. It is a thorough handbook on the theology and practice of adoption. For anyone needing a comprehensive biblical and practical book on orphan care and adoption, this will be your book.…
Continue ReadingRush, Biden and the Bible
October 6, 2010Ahh, its political season and so the mudslinging continues. Rush Limbaugh calls the President all kind of unflattering names. Vice-President Biden says he wants to strangle the Republicans. So the question is this. How should Christians react? More than once this year I’ve heard people defend outbursts like Rush Limbaugh’s or something provocative that Sarah Palin might have said. Invariably, they will say, “Yeah, well, did you hear what the other side said?” And then they will cite an egregious instance from the other side. I think we’re missing something. Personally, I consider myself very conservative politically, especially on the issues of life and marriage. I’m…
Continue ReadingiFaith
October 5, 2010I wanted to share info about my latest book, to be released January of 2011. Unlike my previous two books, Crash Course and Teen People of the Bible, which were written to teens, iFaith is written to adults of my generation. This book was born out of my own journey of faith, a journey that continues today. I really poured my heart and soul on every page and I feel it is my best writing ever. That may not mean it is any good, but it is the best I can do, so far. I owed a great deal to…
Continue ReadingBook Review – City of Man
October 2, 2010Younger generations of evangelicals are wrestling with the proper way to engage in the political arena. As a one-time political activist and now a pastor, I have personally felt the tension between radical engagement and radical withdrawal. At times I have felt Christians have been too passive and at times (lately), I have felt that Christians have been far too active. Plus, American Christians have been afforded a rare historical stewardship. Few if any civilizations have had the opportunity to shape, change, and move their government in a way that we have. But just what is the biblical blueprint for…
Continue ReadingUndone by Jonah
October 1, 2010I just finished my third message in a four-part series on the life of Jonah. I can’t say how much this little book had “undone” me. It began by reading Suprised by Grace by Tullian Tchivigian. I thought that perhaps I’d preach this because it had a powerful message for the Church, which it does. But honestly I was a bit like Jonah, because I thought the bad guys were “out there” in Nineveh, needing to be crushed. How often do we pray, “God do a work in those people.” But maybe God wants to do a work in .…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Interview – Renee Johnson
October 1, 2010So today, I’m honored to have my friend Renee Johnson stop by. Unless you’re under a rock, you’ll know she’s the world-famous, “devotional diva.” Seriously Renee has been writing devos for 20-somethings for quite some time now. They are downloaded, tweeted, read by email, and forwarded by thousands of young people around the world. Lately she put them into a really cool book Faithbook of Jesus, a unique devotional for twenty-somethings that combines biblical wisdom, relevant humor, and a chance to connect on her online platform. Renee’s mission in life is to “spur others forward” (Hebrews 10:24), using the lessons…
Continue ReadingBooks I’m Reading Now
September 30, 2010My nightstand is always full of books. I feel that if I’m not reading, I’m not growing and if I’m not growing, I’m moving backward. I’m not very coordinated, so I figure moving backward is not a good choice for me. So, I read. Here are the books I’m enjoying right now: Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy. – One of the best books on team leadership that I have ever read. Dungy is a man I want to learn all I can from. City of Man by Michael Gerson and Pete Wehner – Great new read on the role of…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Interview: Jennifer Kennedy Dean
September 24, 2010When my first book was published, I remember attending my very first ICRS (then it was call CBA Convention). It was in Indianapolis and I had a radio interview scheduled. I was as nervous as a cat. I had just driven 5 hours from Chicago area, got a speeding ticket, and was a bit overwhelmed by all the publishers and books and agents and media. I was met at CBA by a fellow New Hope author named, Jennifer Kennedy Dean. We waited together outside the recording room where the interview was to be held. She leaned over and said, “Hey,…
Continue ReadingMy Surprising Experience with Glenn Beck
September 21, 2010Finally Hearing Beck So, believe it or not, I went and heard Glen Beck speak live this past Saturday night. If you know anything about me, you’ll know that over the last couple of years, I’ve become less focused on politics and more focused on ministry. I’ve also grown disinterested in the shouting, debates, and theatre that makes up much of political theatre. My news consumption consists of reading sites like Politico, checking a few blogs like National Review, reading Matt Lewis, reading World Magazine, and watching what I think is the most balanced and informative show on TV, Morning…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Interview – Trevin Wax
September 17, 2010Today I’m honored to chat with Trevin Wax, a popular blogger, associate Pastor at First Baptist Church in Shelbyville, TN, and author of the new book, Holy Subversion. Trevin is a frequently contributer to publications, such as Christianity Today. He is currently working on a second book,Counterfeit Gospels: Rediscovering the Good News in a World of False Hopes. Trevin received my bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Theology from Emanuel University of Oradea in the country of Romania, where he was involved in mission work in several village churches from 2000-05. He received a Masters of Divinity at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. 1) You’re…
Continue ReadingTo the Church: You Will Prevail – Eighth Letter Project
September 13, 2010I submitted the following letter to The Eight Letter Project. It’s a letter to the North American Church: Dear Church in North America, I write to you at a time of severe duress, when many are beating you up. You’re the object of endless handwringing inside your walls. Much is being written and said about the damage you have caused to the world. Those who hate you work tirelessly for your demise. Those who love you speak with apocalyptic fear that you’ll no longer exist in generations to come. Truthfully, much of the criticism is deserved. You have chased after…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Interview – Cynthia Ruchti
September 10, 2010Today I have the good fortune of chatting with my friend, Cynthia Ruchti, president of American Christian Fiction Writers, 2,000 member strong group of authors, editors, and agents who work collectively to produce inspirational fiction. She is also the author of They Almost Always Come Home, a delightful novel about a marriage that needed a near-fatal accident to be revived from the brink. In addition to writing, Cynthia is also the producer for a radio show, Heartbeat of the Home In 2007, she was the recipient of the ACFW Member Service Award. In 2008, Cynthia won second place for Women’s…
Continue ReadingSpare Me the Outrage
September 9, 2010Of course the whole world was caught up in this goofy flag-burning story. As of Thursday night, 5 pm Central Time, it seems God has allowed this to be redeemed for His purpose. I hear the pastor is flying to NY and there is some sort of agreement that the mosque in NY will be moved if the Koran-burning pastor stops. All of us know this Koran burning thing was dumb. Most evangelicals condemned it as not only a colossally bad idea, but as bad theology and bad understanding of our role as ambassadors of another Kingdom. I’m guessing this…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Interview: Tullian Tchividjian
September 3, 2010Its a great privilege to interview Tullian Tchividjian. William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Tullian comes from a very famous family. He is the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham. I first learned about Tullian Tchividjian after reading his terrific book, Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different. Recently, I read his latest book, Surprised by Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of Rebels. (Read my review here) This is a terrific book that I highly recommend. Tullian is also a contributing editor to Leadership Journal. He speaks at…
Continue ReadingResources for Studying John
September 2, 2010I’ve been preaching through the gospel of John at Gages Lake Bible Church for two, going on three years. I’m on chapter fifteen at the moment. I’ve been blessed with some incredibly helpful resources for study. I’m a guy who likes to dive in and really soak up what the text is saying. I like to read a lot. A few people have asked me for some helpful resources on the Gospel of John, so here is my list. I don’t read every single one every single week. Some weeks I have to study more–because the text is more difficult.…
Continue ReadingFriday Five Interview: Tricia Goyer
August 27, 2010Tricia Goyer is a multi-published author and speaker. I got to know Tricia when my first book, Teen People of the Bible was released. Her career has really taken off since. Tricia is the author of 25 books, including historical and contemporary fiction as well as nonfiction. She has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Guideposts for Kids, Focus on the Family, Christian Parenting Today, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt.…
Continue ReadingH is for Hope – FAITH Series
August 27, 2010If there is one vital ingredient the Christian culture fails to instill in kids, it is hope. You don’t have to look very far to see that we live in a world devoid of hope. From the violent streets in our urban centers, to the staggering number of children abandoned and orphaned, to the increasing number of at-risk behaviors among young people—the hopelessness quotient is spiraling out of control. But as parents, equipped by the truth of God’s Word, we can reverse the tide by instilling solid, truth-based hope in our children. I think Christian parents are often so focused…
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