An accusation I've heard lobbed against certain groups of people in our country is that they "look to the government to solve their problems." Unfortunately, I believe such an accusation can (rightly) be lobbed against the church based on our behavior and talk the past four years. The impression that is given off by some … Continue reading Our Problems Won’t Be Solved by the Government
Uncategorized
My Sayings
"Gotta Have Dog" Just like a dog is tenacious and persistent chewing a raw-hide bone, so we need to be persistent in life to get things done. "If it smells weird, it is weird." People, situations, and circumstances should fall within a certain boundary of "normal." If even small things that are said or done … Continue reading My Sayings
Anne Helen Petersen is the Rod Dreher of the Left
Rod Dreher is an often gloomy conservative blogger and author who believes that America is heading toward a time of "soft totalitarianism" where conservatives, especially religious conservatives, will be largely excluded from public life through the use of technology and social pressure. This coming totalitarianism is "soft" because while it may not result in outright … Continue reading Anne Helen Petersen is the Rod Dreher of the Left
We Move Because God Moved First
When was the last time you entered a room and no one greeted you? It probably was not a great feeling. All of us want to be acknowledged. But even more than that, we want to be seen, to be truly known and cared for. And those who believe in Jesus Christ—his church—play a crucial … Continue reading We Move Because God Moved First
The Dark Knight Rises is the Movie We Need Right Now
Christopher Nolan's third installment in his Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises (2012), is the movie that we all need to watch and embrace right now. Although it premiered a decade ago now at this point, it has a timely message for us in our culture. The movie opens with Batman in "retirement" because the … Continue reading The Dark Knight Rises is the Movie We Need Right Now
When a Crisis Is Not a Crisis, But Sin
The crisis of leadership in our churches, businesses and governments is largely due to this one dilemma: men have been given power, but they are unprepared to handle it. The time of ruling is a tremendous test of character, for the king will be sorely tested to his influence in humility, for the benefit of … Continue reading When a Crisis Is Not a Crisis, But Sin
2021 in Books
Reading While Back by Esau McCaulleyWhy Black Lives Matter edited by Anthony BradleyThe Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerA World without Email by Cal NewportHow to Decide by Annie Duke Getting Things Done by David AllenThe 12 Week Year by Brain P. Moran and Michael LenningtonMan Up! by Jeffrey HemmerThe Wrong Side of … Continue reading 2021 in Books
Leaders Plan
"Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable"Dwight. D. Eisnehower "Winging it" is not an acceptable ministry strategy. Show me a leader who doesn't spend time planning and I'll show you an ineffective leader. Planning is one of the most effective uses of a time for leaders because it sharpens their focus on what is really … Continue reading Leaders Plan
Paul Williamson on the New Covenant
Paul Williamson explains his take on the new covenant in his book, Sealed with an Oath. Williamson first begins by pointing out that the concept of the new covenant appears in several places in the Old Testament, even though the actual phrase is only used in Jeremiah 31:31 (146). But since Jeremiah 31 is the … Continue reading Paul Williamson on the New Covenant
William Dumbrell on the New Covenant
William Dumbrell has an extended discussion on the new covenant in his OT survey, The Faith of Israel. Dumbrell points out that while Jeremiah 31:31-40 doesn't explicit speak in global terms, the emphases of the text affirms "an international context" (144). The new covenant brings with it a new creation and a New Jerusalem, the … Continue reading William Dumbrell on the New Covenant