All week long, I felt that the Brainwashing sermon had some real importance.That's because I believe it's essential for people who follow Christ to understand that paradox is to govern the way they think.Paradox as in "the foolishness of the cross is wiser than men's...
Week 2 of the Wash Me ! series is called Brainwashing.I'm really looking forward to it.Primarily because it's not going where you might think it's going.And also because it's much more relevant than you think.Sunday.8:30. 10. 11:30.
I rehearse a lot of "I told you so" speeches in my mind.The targets of the mental diatribes tend to be folks who have disagreed with my vision for church or questioned my competence as a leader. Or both.And in my unspoken speeches, I pile statistics on top of...
As many of you know, part of Good Shepherd's ministry takes place at the Zoar Road Outreach Center (ZROC for short!). You can read how Good Shepherd adopted the ZROC here.The ZROC is a unique expression of the multi-site church in that we don't have Sunday...
One day this weekend, Julie and I heard There Goes My Life by Kenny Chesney.While I like that song, Julie loves it. It never fails to make her cry -- she sees our now grown daughter in the story, reflects back on 24 years, and loses it. I stand by,...
I have been excited about the opening of the Wash Me! series since I first began working on the messages a few weeks ago.In particular, I liked the first message called The Works. (Get it? Like in a car wash where you punch in the code for the most deluxe...
Wash Me! If cars can say it, why can’t people?We all have areas in our lives we need cleaned up. Some people would label those places under the category of needs improvement. Others might call them sin. Still others might call them character defects. However you refer...
I've been wrestling with a vexing question recently:Which has a greater impact on a person's life as an adult: a dramatic spiritual conversion or the residual effect of their childhood?Here's what I mean. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul makes one of the most...
Here's the skill set I needed earlier this week for my most impactful ministry moments since Easter: The ability to drive. A sense of direction. The patience to sit for an hour.I didn't have to go to seminary for any of those. Not...
In the churches of the Eastern -- Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and the like -- the day after Easter is historically a time to tell jokes.Why? Because in the Resurrection, God has the last laugh on Satan. You can read about the custom here.So that set...