I can’t overstate the gift that friends have been in my life. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate or value friendships in the past, it’s more of me coming to an understanding that I will not make it without friends. Read that sentence again. I mean it. Friendships are a gift of Jesus that have…
Our generation is bad at disagreeing. It seems, at least from certain perspectives, that if two people or groups disagree on an issue, they must be enemies. At least we too often act as if this is the case. Sadly, disagreement too often leads to open warfare. This is true whether we are talking about…
I cringed. Surrounded by a group of women of all ages—empty nesters, middle-aged and young moms—one young mom was expressing her struggles with her preschoolers. The constant discipline, the tantrums over “trivial” things, and the exhaustion from late nights with early mornings were wearing on her. Other young moms in the room quickly jumped in…
Introduction: What is Hospitality? As you go to the word to define hospitality you find the idea of “welcome.” We see in the book of Acts that as people went on missionary journeys they were welcomed into the home of others there temporarily to stay. We see the idea of welcoming guests and strangers (Hebrews…
When you genuinely strive toward faithfulness in your leadership, friendships, counseling situations, or evangelistic opportunities, you can’t shake the discouragement when those to whom you minister meet you with blank stares or hard hearts. While working toward faithfulness, every Christian will come to a point where they feel they are failing. Disappointment often follows when…
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash Here’s a short word from Timothy Keller on Christians friendships: Christian friends are not only to honestly confess their own sins to each other (James 5:16), but they are to lovingly point out their friend’s sins if he or she is blind to them (Romans 15:14). You should give your Christian friends…
Recently I posted an article arguing for the idea of multiplication. That is, as Christians we are called to make disciples (Matt 28:18–20). We hope the disciples we make will, in turn, make other disciples. In short, multiplication = disciples making more disciples. I’m not going to rehash that argument. If you are interested, you…
“Friendship is agreement with kindliness and affection about things human and divine.” Cicero I’ve been blessed with good friends. Particularly friends who are fellow pastors. There was a time in my life when I thought I was fine on my own and could handle things alone. I had moved to a different state, returned to…
Photo by Sara Farshchi on Unsplash According to Dictionary.com the word “fuel” is a noun with three meanings: Combustible matter used to maintain fire, as coal, wood, oil or gas, in order to create heat or power. Something that gives nourishment; food. An energy source for engines, power plants, or reactors. Like your physical health, your spiritual health…
Theology Along the Way 