Hi friends, I wrote the following poem 20 years ago the day after Christmas. It’s called “Christmas Truth” and I’ve packaged it here between two great verses of Scripture. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6, ESV Wise men left their homes … Read More
Pursue God’s Perfect Heart, Not Moral Flawlessness
There are certain brands of fundamentalism that encourage men and women to be morally flawless based on a literal and surface reading of Matt. 5:48: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (ESV) As I said last week, I think verses like this—especially in red letters—are one of the reasons passages like Eccl.7:16 are not taken … Read More
Why Does the Bible Say Not to Be Overly Righteous?
Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of … Read More
A Guide for Pastors on Making the Most of Sanctity of Human Life Sunday
Hi friends, this week I thought I’d share a version of an article I just wrote for Care Net. Not only might some of you find it interesting to see how I talk about the life issue, but some of you may also find some of the linked resources valuable for your own purposes. Blessings and the beautiful pic is … Read More
Irreplaceable: Recovering God’s Heart for Dads is finally available!
Well, Friends, It has been a long-time coming but my book Irreplaceable: Recovering God’s Heart for Dads is finally finished and available for purchase on Amazon! In many ways, this represents the center of my life’s work to date. Not only do I hope this book blesses you and yours, but I would be so grateful for your help in getting … Read More
The Colorful Beauty of Our Time-Traveling God
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to … Read More
Pursuing Knowledge: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
This post was originally published on October 6, 2017. I’m reposting it again in honor of my friends at Mantua Creek Church and the study we’ve begun on the book of Ecclesiastes. There’s nothing new on this earth. Year after year it’s the same old thing…. Much learning earns you much trouble. The more you know the more you hurt. … Read More
Exclusive Prayer and Ministry Update-102022
Happy Fall, Friends! I hope you and yours are well. Here’s our latest: Personal Our biggest news happened earlier this week and is certainly worthy of being the featured image above. On Monday, Kade Thomas Austen, grandchild #7, was born. He was 6 lb., 14 oz. and everybody is doing great. “Mimi” Pam got to see him along with his … Read More
Why Women Have Abortions
Here’s a four-minute clip of Pastor Tim Hawks of Hill Country Bible Church in Austin, TX trying to help some in his congregation understand why women have abortions. What I love about it is he uses Planned Parenthood’s own research and helps us all start with empathy. Again, I encourage you to watch the clip, but I have also written … Read More
The Irreplaceable Book Launch, Part 4
Hey Friends, Well, you never know what you are going to wake up to… My son, Tim (above with his son Caedmon), who is doing the final type-setting for the book had a business trip to Phoenix this week and came back to a sick family. Although fevers and symptoms have started to resolve, it has delayed the book’s release. … Read More