For the second week in row, my Wake Up Call sermon wasn't really about the sermon. Last Sunday, it led to my interview with Ron Hall. And yesterday, it served as the set up for an interactive time of "praying in the Spirit." I must say, the movements of breathing,...
Maybe it's because we're in a series on the Holy Spirit. Maybe it's because I see the cultural and individual fallout from casual Christianity. Or maybe it's just because of what I see in the mirror. But the whole notion of a Jesus "bait and switch" is on my mind...
The phrase "a steady diet" has been on my mind the last several weeks. That's because so many in the Christian world are on a constant quest for a a spiritual banquet -- the perfect retreat, conference, workshop, or worship service -- where we can have an authentic...
As the Rio Olympics move to the track & field events this week, I remember a job that I used to think I'd have when I grew up. Professional long jumper. That's right. In fourth grade, I thought I was a good athlete with an explosive vertical leap and so I thought...
This sermon has its roots in a blog. Which, in turn, inspired an idea. Which then led to an interview with a living, breathing, resident hero of mine at Good Shepherd. So below you'll see a sermon designed to set up an interview which was to fuel enrollment in our...
. . . Jesus Christ. That’s how most of us in the evangelical world have grown accustomed to completing that sentence. In many ways, that phrase has become synonymous with modern American evangelical Christianity. (Though for a variety of reasons we use the phrase...
It's that time of year in church land when Life Groups gear back up. They've taken the summer off (unless, of course, they haven't), they're busy re-assembling existing members and inviting new ones, and, critically, researching & selecting material to study. In...
Yep, they're out there. Things that as a preacher I am tempted to do but have to pray that the Lord will prevent me from ever doing. That's in that prayer Jesus prayed, isn't it? Here they are: the Top Five Things I Pray The Lord Stops Me Before I Ever Do Them. 1. ...
Sunday's sermon was less about the sermon and more about the Ministry Fair that followed it. I wanted to connect the church's "need" to fill ministry openings with Scripture's truth that ministry stems from the Holy Spirit's power. Really, I wanted the church to see...
One of Good Shepherd's core values is that we as a church are awake to the Holy Spirit. But are we? We sing songs about the Holy Spirit, we read Scriptures which reference him, and sometimes we even pray for his power. But are we really awake to the power of Jesus...