Lost & Found Launch — “Lost Relationships”

I hope it's OK that I get truly excited about series we do in July.You know, that month when a lot of churches take it easy and a lot of pastors can be found anywhere but in the pulpit.Last July, it was The Storm Before The Calm (available in e-book!).This year, it's...

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The Social Solitude Of Preaching

Preaching is an intensely solitary activity.Preaching is a thoroughly social exercise.Which is it?  Solitary or social?Yes.My own process of preparation is wholly wrapped in solitude.  I study, I jot, I brainstorm, I fret, I pray, I get excited, I become...

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Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Pink Floyd Songs

Oh why not?Laser light shows, absurdly long songs, lyrics leading to nowhere, band-on-band smackdown as young rockers became old men . . . all of it is part of the Pink Floyd schtick.And I went through a phase where I listened to them often and liked them a lot. ...

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A Sermon Map

As I have been thinking about sermon design recently, I stumbled across some language that helps me map them out.Journey  --  Discovery -- Destination -- ApplicationThis is probably nothing original with me, but it is some language that makes sense.And...

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The Danger Of Getting What You’ve Always Wanted

That's an odd title for a post, right?There should be celebration in getting what you've always wanted, shouldn't there?  You've outwitted, outlasted, and outplayed both the odds against and the people around you and so . . . voila!You have that thing you've...

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Massively Small

Each week, I get  reminders that effectiveness in ministry and growth in the Spirit come not in great leaps but in small steps.Rather than pinning my hopes on a "major ministry breakthrough" or a "clear personal word from God," I've learned to enter into a...

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