Hi Friends! I’m so excited to let you know that the Kindle eBook version of How I Became a Christian Despite the Church is finally live and available here! I hope to get the paperback version launched in the next 2-3 weeks. Before I do an official marketing campaign related to all this, however, I wanted you all to be … Read More
How Does Forgiveness Relate to Reconciliation?
According to Barna Group, approximately “a quarter of practicing Christians know someone they can’t or won’t forgive.”[1] Forgiveness can be confusing, especially in how it relates to reconciliation. For example, How do we know if we’ve forgiven someone? And, if we forgive, do we have to reconcile? Several years ago, I read through Ralph Keyes’ collection of writings of Sons … Read More
What I Learned from Megan Phelps-Roper
Although I’m sad that Megan doesn’t pray anymore, I get it given her upbringing, and I learned a ton from Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving Westboro Baptist Church. Westboro Baptist…yeah, they’re the ones with the website godhatesfag.com—the ones that for years have held up vile signs in the name of God and even protested at military funerals. Megan, … Read More
Exclusive Prayer & Ministry Update-022020
Most of you know, I spent most of last year writing a book called How I Became a Christian Despite the Church. I appreciate your prayers as I gather final feedback, finish edits, and gather a few endorsements for the back of the book. My goal is to have it completed as an eBook and paperback, and then available for … Read More
The Adoption, Foster Care, and Special Needs Addendum
A friend wrote me this week and encouraged me to write up one additional and important addendum to the article I shared last week on “Four Gospel-Centered & Non-Political Things Every Pastor Can Do to Decrease the Impact of Abortion“. Here it is– a fifth thing every pastor can do: Encourage healthy families to consider adoption and foster care. Further, … Read More
Four Gospel-Centered & Non-Political Things Every Pastor Can Do to Decrease the Impact of Abortion
*This article is adapted and expanded from one I wrote for Care Net and the picture above (from late 2018) is of my grandson Emmett representing! Abortion is a global issue that now affects 40-50 million unborn children every year.[1] As a pastor, I’m with others who see this as one of, if not, the greatest moral atrocity of our … Read More
What I Learned from John Stott, Part 3 of 3
As a carpenter, I appreciate Stott’s human side whether as seen above in his enjoyment of dogs as he hangs out with Billy Graham or below with his willingness to roll up his sleeves and work hard. As a theologian, it’s his authenticity, fidelity, and clarity that continue to inspire me. Even though he came from a wealthy home and … Read More
What I Learned from John Stott, Part 2 of 3
Being at an evangelical seminary can be confusing. You’re constantly sorting through difficult exegetical and theological questions, as well as learning different denominational and historic understandings of various doctrines. The experience can leave you either, on the one hand, longing for the comfort of dogma (i.e. “Maybe I should become a Roman Catholic…”) or, on the other hand, desiring greater … Read More
What I Learned from John Stott, Part 1 of 3
We all need great mentors—even if we know them only by their public example and writings—and few have influenced me more than the late John Stott. I grew up in a church where telling people about Jesus was far more important than living like Jesus. Giving someone a tract had a greater priority than meeting a tangible need. In fact, … Read More
How a Closer Look at a Christmas Prophecy Could Transform Your New Year
When Ahaz, son of Jotham and grandson of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Syriaa and Pekah son of Remaliah, the king of Israel, set out to attack Jerusalem…. The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, … Read More