If you’re a regular subscriber and missed getting the blog last week, I’m sorry about that. I was a bit overwhelmed with some other projects and deadlines which I’ll explain. It was my first time to skip a week since starting in June 2016! As I shared in a recent bi-monthly ministry update, I’m getting ready to do a soft … Read More
On Dragons and Manger Scenes
“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten … Read More
Taking Care of Yourself as a Pastoral Caregiver
One of the most helpful books I’ve read to date on both giving pastoral care and taking care of myself in the process is Clergy Self-Care by Roy Oswald. Below are my favorite quotes and once you’ve read them, I encourage you to pick your top three and discuss them with your spouse, closest friend, or leadership team: Spiritual healing … Read More
What I Learned from Gregory Nazianzus
For most of my adult Christian life, I’ve been convinced that the cross and grace are at the core of the Christian faith. That hasn’t changed. What has is my appreciation for the Trinity as the foundational doctrine that binds all three branches of Christianity together. In my spiritual formation—largely in the evangelical Protestant tradition, the mystery and relational importance … Read More
New Booklet on Baptism & Its Significance Available on Amazon!
Hey Friends, I just finished a ministry resource I’ll be using for church planting called Baptism & Its Significance. I hope you’ll find it useful for you and yours too. Would you kindly help me in getting these wonderful gospel-truths out to others? Here’s how: Pick up a copy here. Read it and send me any feedback Share it with … Read More
Brand New Updated & Expanded 2021 Edition!
Hi Friends, I just released the Updated & Expanded 2021 Edition of my book How I Became a Christian Despite the Church! Would you kindly consider sharing a copy with a friend or loved one, and/or helping me get the word out on social media? Indeed, healing and better answers can be found on the other side of toxic faith … Read More
Heaven’s Proud Reward and Crown, Part 3 of 3
“But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our … Read More
Four Boards That Need to Stay Nailed Together
“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” Acts 2:41, NLT I was reminded in a Zoom call led by Thabiti Anyawhile this week that in the verse above God gives pastors four boards that need to stay nailed together: Gospel preaching- “what Peter said” The cultivation of new converts- … Read More
Baptism & Its’ Significance, Part 6 of 6
One Final Concern- The Critical Need for Intentionality on the Part of Church Leadership in Encouraging and Facilitating “Profession of Faiths” from Non-Communicant Members: Karl Barth wrote one of the most important works on baptism in the last century. In it, he gave a scathing critique of infant baptism (yet, interestingly, he was not in favor of abandoning the practice). Two … Read More
Baptism & Its Significance, Part 5 of 6
Here are a few remaining clarifications and comforts, as well as a call for unity: On the Difference Between Adult and Infant Baptism: “Those who embrace faith in Christ as grown… [adults], since they were previous strangers to the covenant, are not to be given the badge of baptism unless they first have faith and repentance, which alone can give … Read More