On Civility, Cancel Culture, and Abortion

I could have titled this piece “Notable Quotes and Controversies of the Last Few Weeks,” but although it would have been accurate, it wouldn’t have been very descriptive about what the quotes or controversies were about. That’s why I decided to go with the above. Additionally, as regular readers will know, I’ve often written about these topics, and they frequently … Read More

Hope for Cynics: Looking Outside Ourselves, 3 of 3

As you and I continue to work on ourselves (Part 2), Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 reminds us that even bunglers and “bungler” realities can’t diminish the beauty of wisdom, the status of the poor in God’s eyes, or the value of quiet, unsung, heroic acts of service (Part 1). This is a comfort, no doubt.   But even heroic acts of service … Read More

Hope for Cynics, 2 of 3: Grappling with the Bungler

13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few people in it. A great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered … Read More

Hope for Cynics, 1 of 3: Six Lessons from Ecclesiastes 9

13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. 14 There was a little city with few people in it. A great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered … Read More

Ministry that Defies a Culture of Contempt

“Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” -Mark 6:34, NLT We just picked up the bundle of cuteness above this week! Domino, as we’ve named her, has been a welcome distraction as I’ve continued to … Read More

What I Learned About Difficulties from Wendell Berry

I don’t know your struggles these days, but mine are centered around the question, “What does meaningful vocation and ministry look like in this season?” That’s why the quote above grabbed my attention. For those who may not be familiar with Wendell Berry, he’s an American novelist, poet, philosopher, environmental activist, and farmer.[1] At 90-years-old, he’s published “more than eighty … Read More

The Voice of Loving Favor

“In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.” Ephesians 1:4-5, NIV Hey Friends, This is an update of sorts, and I’d like to ask for your prayers. After deciding to discontinue the Mantua Creek church plant in December, Pam and I have been seeking God about what my next … Read More

Fresh Updates to Baptism & Its Significance!

I just got done adding insights and practical helps from five years of church planting to the Baptism & Its Significance booklet in the Constructive Conversations series. Please consider picking up a copy for yourself, as well as posting a review. Here’s the new description: Baptism is an initiatory rite that’s connected with amazing truths that many Christians meditate on … Read More

What I Learned from Five Years of Church Planting, 3 of 3

Here are lessons 12-16 of 16: [1] Heb. 6:11, NLT. See also the story of Hagar and Ismael in Gen. 16. [2] Tod Bolsinger, Canoeing the Mountains (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2015), 21 of study guide from 2018. [3] Fleming Rutledge, Advent: The Once & Future Coming of Jesus Christ (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2018), 18, 26-27.