Yesterday's message ... Featured some biblical context work that I felt really good about, and which suggested a possible identity for the parabolic character known as "The Rich Fool"; Reminded people that Yoda would have phrased YOLO as OOYL; Included an anecdote...
On a recent Thursday morning, I attended BUT DID NOT LEAD a Good Shepherd LifeGroup. The group is actually using a new Seedbed study on the book of Hebrews, authored by Ken Schenck, who was a classmate of mine at Asbury Seminary. ...
In the study guide "Lord, Change My Attitude," Pastor James McDonald offers this definition of covetousness: "Wanting something so much that you lose your satisfaction in God." I like that. I like that because I live it. Things I want so badly it causes me to lose...
Sure, a lot of folks will tell you that the hours are long, the pushback is heavy, and the frustration is high. But how often do you hear that ministry is worth it? That it is more than worth it? I've had a few glimpses just in the last several weeks. Five, in...
Yesterday's message ... Launched the How To Tell A Mountain From A Molehill series; Featured a purple ball test involving David Morgan; Drew some inspiration from George Thompson's book God's Not Fair Thank God. Reminded people that we don't sing Amazing Karma; Landed...
Here's the rundown on the new series, "How To Tell A Mountain From A Molehill": It's a G3 series, which means we invite ALL the people of Good Shepherd to grab our home-made resources, gather with friends, family, or co-workers, and grow together through study and...
Those of you who know me well know that I am a super-disciplined person. I complete projects well in advance, I show up to meetings and events early, I live by my routines, and I follow rules. Yet I am an undisciplined leader. That's right. While focused on a...
A friend from Good Shepherd was apparently dialed in to Sunday's message. She put this photo of her notes up on social media: This is rewarding on two fronts: 1) it lets you know that the joyful work of preparing, internalizing, and delivering a sermon is really...
A collection of interesting geographical facts, some of which I just knew, and others of which I had to research. The Cincinnati Airport is in ... Kentucky. The most northern point in Maine is 300 miles south of London, England. Neither Florida nor California have...
Yesterday's message ... Recognized that the "High Priestly Prayer" of John 17 is NOT a series of commands. It's not exhortation. Instead, it's a prayer and we get to eavesdrop in on it. Talked about how "truth bridges" are more important these days than old tribal,...