One of the most impactful books I’ve read is C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. It’s an account of a master demon, Screwtape, advising his young nephew, Wormwood, on how to distract their human “patients” and turn them away from God. Early into the book we read: “All you have to do us to keep out of his mind the question ‘If …
Why Jesus Matters – Part 1
Have you ever wondered why millions of people around the world follow some dude named Jesus who lived 2,000 years ago and think he will make their lives any better today? I want to share with you a few reasons why Jesus matters to me.
Boiling Frog
If you threw a frog into boiling water it would immediately jump out, recognizing the danger of the heat. If, however, a frog sitting in room temperature water being slowly heated to boiling point the frog would stay put until its death, never realizing its harmful surroundings. I fear we are much the same.
Star Wars And Our Identity Issues
Luke and Leia Skywalker were separated at birth but years later they had an inherent feeling that they were connected. Eventually they found out their identities and it just made sense. In the same way, we were created to be complete when reunited with God. And when we finally realize that, two things happen: life begins to make sense and we begin to feel whole.
Treating Others With Dignity
Do all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect? Maybe not, but I would hope so. If we’re being honest, I think it’s easier to treat people based on their merits. If they are nice to you, it’s not hard to reciprocate. But if you’re not being treated well, it’s almost effortless to respond in kind. Why is …
Living With Open Hands
What keeps us from moving forward in life? We’ve all got baggage, traumatic memories that keep us anchored to a past of hurt and shame. But as we’re reminded: When we’re still holding on to how things were, our arms aren’t free to embrace today. – Rob Bell
Does God Need My Help?
As a pastor it can be easy to get in the mindset that God needs me – that my efforts directly move forward his agenda. That in some way God couldn’t do this without my involvement. But there is an opposite (and just as dangerous) approach: many Christians believe that somehow they’re too weak, too broken and too much of …
Parenting on Purpose
I try to read at least a book a week on the topic of Christian living, leadership, ministry development, marriage or parenting. This past week, as I’ve been reading through Andy Stanley’s Visioneering, two things stuck out to me in regards to parenting. In the introduction to the book, he discusses the reason for having a vision for your life. …
Getting The Most From The Bible
When we stop at reading alone, and it hasn’t sunk it, we risk growing numb to the very Word of God that has made us alive in the first place. Similarly, when we stop at reflection and internalize it, we may suffer from a purely Pharisee-like lifestyle. It’s not enough to read and internalize the Word of God. We must do something with it.
Do You Actually Trust God?
I often hear of people passionately praying, not that we should discourage prayer. But when they receive the answer they were looking for, they act as if they didn’t expect God could deliver it in the first place. I’m reminded of this as I read Acts 12: