Cinderella: A Common Girl with Uncommon Forgiveness
Some reasons to love the 2015 Disney movie Cinderella, as well as 10 discussion questions.
Five Favorites from 2016
Here are my five favorite (and the most popular) blog posts that I wrote in 2016.
When Sin is Serious, Salvation is Joyous
This Christmas, my hope and prayer is that our hearts will explode with praise over the salvation that comes through Jesus. If this is to happen, first we need to reckon seriously with the darkness within us.
Visions of God – A Hymn I Wrote
Several years ago, I wrote a hymn about three men who came face to face with God: Job, Isaiah, and Peter. I’d love to share the lyrics and the audio recording with you.
Riddle My Fiddle – My First Book
On December 6, the book I co-authored, More People to Love, is being released. Can’t wait to share it with you. The popular Christian radio host, Brant Hansen, wrote the foreword. The book will be for sale at Amazon.com for $7.99.
How to Survive the Apocalypse
Professors Robert Joustra and Alissa Wilkinson wrote this book to prepare us for the apocalypse. Their approach, however, is less Swiss Army Knife and more Encyclopedia Britannica.
40 Strategies to Struggle Against Porn
Here are few dozen strategies to help men win the war against sexual temptation.
Beware of the Me Monster
This is my favorite piece of stand-up comedy. It comes from Brian Regan. It’s brilliant commentary on our human condition: we love to talk about ourselves.
Social Media Jealously
Except for the occasional post, I'm taking a rest from social media. My heart is frazzled. Here’s how it got this way.
More People to Love, Preface
In early December of this year (2016), Jason Abbott (my co-pastor) and I are launching a book. It’s called, More People to Love: How the Bible Starts in a Garden and Ends in a City and What That Means for You. Here’s a sneak peak at the preface I wrote.
ROOTED by J.A. Medders and Brandon D. Smith (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)
My book review of Rooted: Theology for Growing Christians by J.A. Medders and Brandon D. Smith. A great, accessible book to help Christians both know God and live for him.
The Bee Keeps Stinging Joel Osteen
The Babylon Bee, a satirical Christian sourse for news, is doing a superb job of embedding its stinger in Joel Osteen and other prosperity teachers.
More People to Love, Table of Contents
Later this fall, Jason Abbott (my co-pastor) and I are launching a book. It’s called, More People to Love: How the Bible Starts in a Garden and Ends in a City and What That Means for You. Here’s a sneak peak at the cover art and the table of contents.
Does Everyone Know Your Theological Hobby Horse?
If everyone who listens to you knows your theological hobby horses, then you’re probably out of balance. But at the same time, one’s theology will always inform his or her teaching. In this post, I explain how I navigate this tension in my preaching.
Why We Sing What We Sing, Part II of II
Recently, our director of music, Ben Bechtel, put together a “map” to help our church choose worship songs. I thought it was so helpful, that I asked him if he would let me share it on my blog. Hope you like it too. This is Part II of II.
Why We Sing What We Sing, Part I of II
Recently, our director of music, Ben Bechtel, put together a “map” to help our church choose worship songs. I thought it was so helpful, that I asked him if he would let me share it on my blog. Hope you like it too. This is Part I of II.
Home Row: Christian Writers on Writing
As with books, the number of podcasts abounds. There’s no point in even trying to listen to everything; we have to be selective. If this post reads like an advertisement, I’m sorry, but I must tell you that my current favorite writing podcast is Home Row.
Husbands, Praise and Praise Again
Husbands, keep praising your wife. Do it again and again. It matters.
Consumer v. Covenant Relationships
Talking about the difference between “consumer” and “covenant” relationships is a helpful way to get at the deeper meaning of marriage, that is, the gospel.