Four Reasons not to fight with the Pen

One of my favorite websites is The Gospel Coalition. It has a wonderful collection of sermons (40,000+) sortable by topic, preacher, or Scripture reference. It also has a blog that can be a wonderful resource. This Spring, when Rob Bell's book Love Wins was released, the Gospel Coalition published several worthwhile  reviews/responses/critiques to Rob's position. Reviews to note: Justin Taylor. and Al Mohler.

However, when their isn't a major topic to discuss, the blogs can begin to create infighting. Case in point: the debate over multi-site churches. Today's post by Thabiti Anyabwile: Multi-Site Churches Are from the Devil (http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2011/09/27/multi-site-churches-are-from-the-devil/) is not constructive in settling this issue or leading to open discussion on the matter. Reading through this post, I was reminded why I don't like to respond to people through e-mail - I would much rather settle disagreements face to face.

Great Sources of Spiritual food

In all of human history, there has never been a time when so much good preaching is available and making such little difference.

If you are someone who struggles to be in the Word consistently, let me recommend some of the places I lean on for strong Biblical insight. The pastors listed below are usually strong on Biblical interpretation, and the websites listed contain good content. I have tried to arrange the pastors by style, depending on what you are looking for.

How a Pastor Celebrates.

Several people have commented this week that I should be on cloud nine. This past Sunday was an exciting week at our church, with dozens being baptized and several making new commitments to follow Jesus. As the week comes to a close, I was looking back and reflecting on the week - you might be surprised how a pastor celebrates.

Five Signs your Church is Gaining Traction

1.     The Ministry is Messy. Everyone wants to be part of a missional church, whatever that means. We long to attract the masses, baptize new believers until were pruny, be forced to expand by explosive growth (for examples, see TheVillageChurch.org or Elevationchurch.org). Praise God for stories of blessing like these! However, no matter the size of your church, it will never sustain its mission (think Great

A visit with my Mom

A Visit with my Mom

I visited my mother today. She was sleeping when I walked in her room. I sat quietly in a chair watching her sleep.

Life can be most cruel when your body outlives your mind. Her children have watched her become more helpless over time. She struggles to communicate, cannot stay with conversations, and at times becomes frustrated and agitated. This is not her - dementia has taken its toll. As I sit, I remember little of past conversations or lessons taught. I remember a woman who grieved with those who grieved and rejoiced with those who rejoiced. She was simple in many ways, but she was faithful. She was faithful to a husband who could be difficult. She was faithful to children who could disappoint. She was faithful to her church: preparing meals, organizing funerals, teaching children, bearing slights.  A lifetime of “you before me” – caring for her family, her church, serving her God faithfully. Faithful trumps brilliance.

I pause for a moment and thank God for her condition. While I wish she knew my kids (she would have loved to hear Calvin preach), and I could express my love, I know that the current limitations have lessoned the sting of losing her husband – her daughter. I thank God that this is “temporary, light affliction” – and look forward to an eternity where there is no more sorrow, or tears, or suffering, or disappointment. I am reminded of the long-reaching effects of sin, and I am filled with a sense of urgency not to waste the days or “waste my suffering.”

Her eyes open and she says, “Oh, wow!” She cannot tell you who I am – but she knows I am someone special. Our visit is limited by language – we hold hands and she smiles. She yawns and drifts in and out of sleep, each time awaking and saying, “Oh, wow!” I gently let go of her hand and try to time my exit for when she is asleep. I kiss her forehead and whisper, “I love you”, and leave for what I expect will be the last time.

As I drive away, I am limited by language to express my love for the mother who prayed with me as a child and led me to Jesus.