Random Observations
Christians and Conspiracy Theories
Most of Americans rejoiced at the swift justice we unexpectedly witnessed on Sunday with the capture of terrorist mastermind, Osama Bin Laden. Many gave important cautions against too much celebrating about the eternal damnation of a soul once created in God’s image. In the days since, as with any news story, there are conflicting accounts…
Read MoreA God in My Head but a Hole in My Heart
Twice the Psalms tells us, in identical language, “ a fool says in his heart, ‘there is no God’” (Psalm 53:1;Psalm 14:1). I have loved these passages most of my. They are a wonderful rebuke to atheists such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. But the last time I read them, I…
Read MoreEaster Meditation: What Am I Doing With Jesus?
I’m writing this as I’m meditating on the most beautiful moment in the history of the world. It is the moment when the risen Jesus says, “Mary.” Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows the names of his sheep. And Mary was a most earnest seeker of Jesus. She had a past to be ashamed of, baggage…
Read MoreCourage at the Cross
At Gages Lake Bible Church, we’re going through the gospel of John. This Sunday, we’re finishing up chapter 19, covering verses 31-42. This is an interesting part of Scripture where John describes, with great detail, the burial of Jesus. There are great themes here with Jesus fulfilling prophecy even in his burial, the symbolism of…
Read MoreWhen Fun Becomes an Idol
I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my father one day as we were working on a construction site. Dad owned his own plumbing business and had the bright idea of dragging me along to learn what it was like to get my hands dirty and to work. I remember this day vividly. It…
Read MoreOn Showing Up
Yesterday I attended a ministerium (meeting of pastors) for the church fellowship of which Gages Lake is a member. (IFCA International). We meet every other month. I enjoy these times, opportunities to meet other pastors in the region and glean wisdom from those who’ve been doing this way longer than me. As a young pastor,…
Read MoreSinging Cowper’s Song
I wanted to take a moment to explain the subtle change to my website. I recently asked my web guy, Sam Guzman, to add the words, “Redeeming Love Has Been My Theme and Shall Be Till I Die,” to the top logo area of my website. These is a line from the fourth verse of…
Read MoreMy Car is in Here Somewhere
What Every Pastor Should Say in the Mirror . . . Repeatedly
This morning, as I was praying and preparing to preach, I listened to a an incredibly rich and convicting sermon, “The Pastor’s Charge” by C.J. Mahaney delivered at the Gospel Coalition Conference in 2009. I love listening to a variety of messages from a diverse group of speakers, so recently I subscribed to the Gospel…
Read MoreSome Great Christmas Articles
As you reflect on the meaning of Christmas this year: Tim Jeske on the link between Bethlehem and Calvary Mark Galli wonders why Mary was favored and what it means for us. Chuck Colsen says not to ignore the Kingdom references in the announcement of Christ’s birth John Ortberg reminds us that the birth of…
Read MoreResetting our Gratitude Meter
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God…
Read MoreOn Criticism
One of the hardest things for a Christian to do is accept criticism. I should know, because I typically flinch at criticism. Immediately my defenses go up and I’m ready to lash out at the critics. But this is always the wrong approach. After all, we’re Christians and we should be, as James 1:19 instructs,…
Read More