Pastors, God will use this crisis for good. Joseph, eleventh son of Jacob, had a dream that his brothers and parents would someday bow before him. So Joseph shared his dream with his ten older brothers. Their disdain for their youngest sibling grew to the point of wanting to kill him, but his brother Reuben…
Devotions
Church Planting in the Midst of Grief
Ten years ago, God called my husband Jon and I to plant a church. After three years of preparation and many long trips between our home in Ohio and where we wanted to plant in North Carolina, we started that journey. We were ready to love large and share the news of Jesus. But I…
Telling the Truth – Humbly
I think it’s wise to be skeptical when people talk about “the truth.” In this era (as in others) we are willing to kill for our ideas about truth. That’s why ideas about the truth are not enough. Telling the truth isn't done through argument. We must meet the truth and walk with him. The…
Feasting, Fasting, and the Eucharist
Last week saw the beginning of Lent, and with it, Mardi Gras. "Fat Tuesday." All around the world there are festivals and parties with one main goal: Overindulge in whatever you can. Traditionally Mardi Gras grew into a huge feast because it was the night before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, which is marked…
One Pastor’s Daily Prayer
Let me recommend a pastor's daily prayer: “Grant me joy and peace as I humbly trust You with the outcome of my life and ministry.” I’ve been praying that over myself for what must be something like 6 years now. Maybe more. That’s well over 2,000 times at least. Like any prayer, there is a…
From Ephesians: 3 Startling Bible Statements About Church
Sometimes the big questions intersect with our everyday life. My opinions regarding large “theological” questions trickle all the way down to my ability to follow Jesus day-by-day. For example, my view of the scripture will determine how much authority it has in my life. Or, for example, my view of the church will influence my…
