What does it feel like to be in the center of God's will? Sometimes it feels like the pains of childbirth. In Galatians 4:19, Paul makes this striking aside: "[M]y little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!" A few observations… He compares his anguish to the anguish of childbirth. Ouch! That is a lot of … [Read more...] about Love, Pain, and God’s Will
Ordinary Pastor
MEMOIRS OF AN ORDINARY PASTOR: THE LIFE AND REFLECTIONS OF TOM CARSONBy D.A. Carson What a tenderhearted book. Don Carson composes a narrative of and testimony to his dad, Tom Carson, an ordinary pastor. Tom is a hardworking pastor to French Canada. His church is only ever small. His ministry never sparkles with easy or abundant success. But Tom is ever … [Read more...] about Ordinary Pastor
Church in a Chevy
Can you go to church in a Chevy? There is a delightful song by Jordan Davis called "Church in a Chevy." Davis describes in this song a wonderful moment many of us have likely felt. It is a spiritual moment where something inside us clicks or dawns. We feel peace. Our perspective shifts. The song describes the moment like this: I went to church in a Chevy on a … [Read more...] about Church in a Chevy
You Can Change
YOU CAN CHANGE: GOD’S TRANSFORMING POWER FOR OUR SINFUL BEHAVIOR AND NEGATIVE EMOTIONSBy Tim Chester We just finished this book in a recent class at church, and I wanted to commend it to you. It is a helpful, ultra-practical look at sanctification. Chester uses a mix of scripture, historical wisdom, and pastoral experience to inspire and instruct us towards positive … [Read more...] about You Can Change
Easter in One, Two, Three
[Editor's Note: This is a slightly edited sermon manuscript.] This sermon is going to be as easy as 1, 2, 3. In fact, that is the outline: 1, 2, 3. I want to present you with one “WHAT,” two “SO WHATS,” and three “NOW WHATS" for Easter. So, let’s begin with the one “WHAT” of Easter. WHAT is Easter all about? One WHAT: Jesus is risen. The resurrection, before it is … [Read more...] about Easter in One, Two, Three