Influential and now scandalized mega-church pastor, Bill Hybels, is known for saying, “There’s nothing like the local church when it’s working right.” The reverse is also true: There’s nothing that can do as much damage as the church when it’s not working right. I spent 1973–1981 in a toxic environment called Beracah Bible Baptist—an independent church that morphed into something … Read More
How I Became a Christian Despite the Church, Part 1 of 4
By the power of the Spirit (Jn. 3:3), you come to know the love of the Father (2 Cor. 5:18-19) and embrace the gospel—that good news that your sins are forgiven by the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son (1 Cor. 15:1-4). Further, your life grows to reflect a genuine heart for God—one that evidences your claim to be … Read More
Confessions of an Affirmation Junkie
Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Gal. 1:10, ESV) Feed your life with my life’s work. How many likes is my life worth? –Sick Boy by The Chainsmokers[1] My phone lies close by as I write. Although … Read More
How to Love and Desire Your Spouse
***This piece is dedicated to my daughter Emily and her fiancé, Josh Ginchereau, in view of their upcoming wedding on May 25, 2018. To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” (Gen. … Read More
Reflections on the March for Life
A person is a person no matter how small. – Dr. Seuss Last week marked my one year anniversary with Care Net and my second year participating in the March for Life. It was the 45th march protesting and marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the now infamous Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion through all nine months of … Read More
Why the Sea Restores Us
The ocean, like no other place on the planet, is God’s gift to teach us how to make peace with the two realities we struggle most with: constancy and change. Let me explain. Two months ago, Pam and I enjoyed the gift of a week of vacation with some friends who have a condo in Bonaire (an island off the … Read More
Saying Yes to Diving in the Caribbean
You’re never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream. –C.S. Lewis It’s not often you get an invitation to stay at a friend’s sea-front home on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, combined with an offer to take you scuba-diving every day. Bonaire is one of the most beautiful and easiest places in the world to … Read More
Seize the Day!
Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. (Eccl. 9:7, ESV) As mentioned previously, the verse above has become a favorite, along with its context (9:7-10a), and the whole book of Ecclesiastes. That’s not because I’m a good follower of “the Preacher’s” advice, but I aspire … Read More
How the Holy Family Gives Laser Focus to Ministry
In my current vocational role at Care Net, the Christmas story is especially significant, as it deals with the most famous “unplanned” pregnancy in history. Earlier this year, my wife and I went to Orlando to celebrate my mom’s birthday. While there, she gave me a figurine of the Holy Family. It was originally my grandparents’, and my mom thought … Read More
Making Life Disciples: Lessons from Allison’s Story
[Note: This post, also published here, gives a glimpse into the work I do at Care Net. The intro and lessons learned, however, have wide application to all of our ministry efforts.] Sometimes we think—or certainly want—our discipleship efforts to be like biting into a York Peppermint Patty: joy explodes into the lives of those we’re ministering to and things are never … Read More