Sometimes it’s hard to do the right thing, even if we have resolved to live our lives on principle. We will always be tempted to fall back into a habit of self-preservation and the seeking of our own self-interests. However, there’s another factor that will make it difficult to live consistently on principle. Living onContinue reading “Principles are weird…are you weird?”
Tag Archives: God
Change, principles, and other boring stuff that can dramatically alter your life
I’ve been involved in church leadership now for almost 14 years (that seems like forever). I have now worked as a volunteer in a church, as part-time staff, as full time staff, as paid temporary staff, and as a supported ministry worker. I have been asked to give advice to churches I do not regularlyContinue reading “Change, principles, and other boring stuff that can dramatically alter your life”
Grammys and art: Sia-squatch…or Take Off, You Hozier
The Grammys were last night. Here’s some highlights: Pharrell did “Happy” in a weird orchestral setting with a piano player who is famous enough that no one has heard of him and the Pirates of the Caribbean music guy pretending to play guitar. Beyonce performed a gospel chorus. She sang it once. It took 27 minutes.Continue reading “Grammys and art: Sia-squatch…or Take Off, You Hozier”
Be More Musk-y
My church is currently going through a vision-casting process. The church has been growing steadily for 3 years and has been near-capacity on Sunday mornings for around a year, and the youth and children’s programs have begun to fill the spaces available to them. Some solution needs to be found in order to continue toContinue reading “Be More Musk-y”
Thoughts to drive us – Better resolutions than yours
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake. Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week. 1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoeverContinue reading “Thoughts to drive us – Better resolutions than yours”
Gospel Outside – Don’t Lie To Yourself
While the gospels are the easiest place to see the person and work of Jesus Christ, the entirety of the scriptures share the gospel story. Gospel Outside will highlight a part of the gospel seen outside of the 4 Gospels of the New Testament. Have you ever had a problem but just wanted to pretend itContinue reading “Gospel Outside – Don’t Lie To Yourself”
My Response To Critics: Hey guys, I’m a false teacher!
So I think this is my final comments on the past conflicts we have seen in our push towards unity among Christians in my community. Unless it isn’t. So anyways, this lesson comes to us from a letter to the editor responding to my “Unite around the Bible” article that was published by the localContinue reading “My Response To Critics: Hey guys, I’m a false teacher!”
My Respone To Critics: Unity and getting over yourself
Unity seems like a good idea, right? Most people I’ve talked to, including some who do not regularly attend church, think the idea of churches working together to share God’ love to those who need it is a good thing. For most it is, as my mother would say, a “No Duh!” kind of thing.Continue reading “My Respone To Critics: Unity and getting over yourself”
You can’t spell ‘Unity’ without ‘U’…and some other stuff
It is now over 9 months since I began my push towards a more unified community of faith in and around Martin County, MN. The early months were spent in preparation and vision-casting among some trusted ministry leaders. That push was followed by a concerted effort to spread the word, especially focused on our countyContinue reading “You can’t spell ‘Unity’ without ‘U’…and some other stuff”
Rewind: HOPEless
In 2011, my wife Charmaine and I spent over two weeks in Thailand, meeting with refugees and pastors, learning more about the Karen people group and about international missions work with our friend Joanna, a missionary that we support. We came back in the middle of July and, 4 days later, I took a groupContinue reading “Rewind: HOPEless”
Driven 