It’s advice you sometimes hear people say: just do what makes you happy. On the one hand, it’s not terrible advice—happiness is better than walking around miserable all the time. But on the other hand, it leaves the door open to individualizing morality away from God’s holiness; and it turns happiness into a god of sorts, making the feeling the supreme objective of life. Solomon gave us an interesting take on the issue at the end of Ecclesiastes. Writing as an old man and reflecting back on his life, he mentioned several times how he had tested everything and denied himself nothing, even … [Read more...] about Do what makes you happy, but…
Devotional Posts
Christmas Peace (a meditation on 1 John 4:14)
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ~ 1 John 4:14 It doesn’t matter if you read the gospel, the first letter, or Revelation, in all of the apostle John’s writings you will find a global focus with the message of Christ. This is unquestionably one of the themes throughout all of Scripture, as well: God is Lord and King over all the earth and God is the Savior of the nations. God’s global focus began all the way back in Genesis 1 when he told humanity’s parents to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). Even well after the fall, … [Read more...] about Christmas Peace (a meditation on 1 John 4:14)
Christmas as Spiritual Warfare
Maybe it’s burnout from too many baby-in-a-manger scenes, but when it comes to the Christmas story I tend to be drawn to passages of scripture outside of ordinary thought when we think about Jesus coming to earth. In recent years, one of my favorite passages about our celebrations of the birth of Jesus has become Revelation 12. With a giant red seven-headed dragon it certainly falls outside the realm of typical manger scenes. However, I think it communicates a strong point that we must keep in mind: Christmas is about spiritual warfare. And, no, I’m not talking about whether the WalMart … [Read more...] about Christmas as Spiritual Warfare
No One Prepared Me for the Loneliness (by Tony Jones)
This post is authored by Tony Jones. Tony is pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rich Hill, MO. He blogs at http://thespiritualwoodshed.com/. When I was a music minister, it seemed I was always surrounded by people. There was always someone there, in part, because music ministers are always part of a staff of ministers and there really is always someone else there. I enjoy the presence of others, and I always enjoyed spending my days amongst other people. When my office was located in the back of the church, I would hear the front door open and I would walk to the front office to see … [Read more...] about No One Prepared Me for the Loneliness (by Tony Jones)
A Lego Church
I love Lego bricks. They are, without question (in my opinion), the best toy ever invented. Give a kid thousands of tiny little bricks and the freedom of imagination, and he or she will spend hours creating and configuring and combining with other toys… I’ve also always been a fan of space dramas, particularly Star Trek and Babylon 5. Much of my childhood was spent creating spaceships and space stations engaged in intergalactic combat for the fate of the universe. The possibilities were endless with a slew of little bricks in hand… One of the best things about Lego is that the bricks … [Read more...] about A Lego Church
What to do when the doctors say, “It is terminal . . .”
What to do when the doctors say, “It is terminal . . .” This sentence has been on my mind for the last week or so since I learned of the terminal diagnosis of a 52 year old friend of mine from Fort Worth. She and her husband were incredibly kind and compassionate to me while I was a seminary student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1997-2001. We were church members together, I played softball with her husband, and their kids were in my wife’s children’s choir. They are very bold in their faith and are pillars of our church in Fort Worth, Texas. Our paths crossed again last … [Read more...] about What to do when the doctors say, “It is terminal . . .”
Joy in Suffering (Mike Bergman)
This past Sunday, I continued preaching a Sunday morning series on joy from Philippians. In it we talked about taking joy in the accomplishments of Jesus (3:1-12). Paul told the church once more to “rejoice in the Lord” and tells them that he will keep on reminding them of this again and again. Such a statement brought no trouble to Paul, after all it keeps everyone focused right where they should be: on Jesus. And he said it was safe for them (and us), after all it keeps us focused right where we need to be: on Jesus. Then Paul shifted gears to something that robs joy: thinking we … [Read more...] about Joy in Suffering (Mike Bergman)
Joy: Keeping a Check on Your Attitude
This past Sunday, I continued my month-long series through Philippians on the topic of joy. For the sermon, I looked at 2:1-18—a rather lengthy chunk, and focused on the idea of having joy by living in the humility of Christ. In that passage, Paul calls us to be unified and to be servants. These things bring joy to both church leaders (2:2) and church members (2:17-18). In the passage, Paul wrote one of the most succinct yet beautiful Christological statements we find in scripture, and it’s all to the point of encouraging us to be humble servants just as our Lord. Paul reminds us that Jesus … [Read more...] about Joy: Keeping a Check on Your Attitude
Let them know you’re praying…
Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.” ~ Samuel, 1 Samuel 12:23 This post is going to be short and sweet. I just want to encourage my fellow pastoral brothers: let God’s people you lead know you’re praying for them regularly. I think Samuel’s words are spot on for under-shepherds today: I’m not going to sin by failing to pray for you and I’m going to teach you how to do good. Even when you look at what the apostles say in Acts 6 as they appoint the seven to oversee serving … [Read more...] about Let them know you’re praying…
It’s About Transformation
This is running as my church’s August 2014 newsletter article… 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 In John 3, a Pharisee named Nicodemus approached Jesus in the cover of night, likely from a desire not to be seen by the other religious leaders who wanted to silence Jesus. Nicodemus sought to flatter Jesus by telling him, “We … [Read more...] about It’s About Transformation