What Woud You Save if Your House was on Fire?

For my 60th birthday, my oldest son, Matthew, and his family gave me a gift through Storyworth that will give me the exciting opportunity to “create a life story book your family will treasure.” I encourage you to check out the organization, ponder the question above, and share your answers with someone you love. As I get started on the … Read More

Reassessing My Evangelical Identity

I’ve been in a season of having both the challenge of reassessing my vocational direction and identity, and the gift of reimagining both. And so, I offer this piece as, first, a way to connect with new subscribers and update those who still find value in this blog and are journeying with me (thank you!); and, second, as a way … 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

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

Malachi’s Vision of Hope: Remember, Return, and Rest

“On the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts. Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children … Read More

Baptism & Its Significance, Part 4 of 6

Why should it be done? This is really the most important issue. What exactly does baptism do? Why is it important? Does baptism make someone a Christian? Does it actually have the power to save someone? On these last two questions, the answer is no as our salvation is only by the sacrifice of Christ made for us on the … Read More

The Book Launch Series, Part 3 of 4

***One more week till the paperback is available! The Missing Lyrics I found out when I was almost ready to publish How I Became a Christian Despite the Church that you have to pay royalties for using more than one line of a song in something sold for commercial purposes. AND that you have to do this even if you … Read More

Cultivating Eternal Wishes for Others, Part 5 of 5

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” 1 PETER 1:1-2, ESV Over the past … Read More

Reclaiming a Christian Identity, Part 4 of 5

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” 1 PETER 1:1-2, ESV As … Read More

The Implications of God’s Special Favor, Part 3 of 5

As mentioned last week, I first became aware of and grappled with doctrine of election when I was seventeen. I had just graduated from high school a year early and started my freshman year at Baptist Bible College (BBC) in Springfield, MO. I went there because it was affordable, the largest Bible college in the world, and the school that … Read More