13 Tips for Pastoral Candidates in the Initial Hiring Process, Part I of II
Finding a job in pastoral ministry is challenging. Here are a few tips to help candidates stand above the masses in the initial stages of a job search.
Words and Deeds, and a Few Comments on Balance
What would it be like to watch a movie that didn’t have a musical soundtrack? It wouldn’t be as powerful, that’s for sure. Consequently, it’s the same with ‘the words we say’ and ‘the lives we live’—they go better together.
11 Resources on The Bible, Sexuality, and Homosexuality
Today, there are so many books being published about the Bible and sexuality, and especially about the Bible and homosexuality. In many ways, this is a good thing. But there is also a downside: it’s hard to know which books are the most helpful.
WHO IS JESUS by Greg Gilbert (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)
A book review of WHO IS JESUS? by Greg Gilbert, a helpful book for consideration of the most important question you’ll ever consider.
Emotional Support for the Canaanites
A punchy quote from commentator Dale Ralph Davis about the conquest of Canaan.
This Quote Terrifies Me
A quote from D.A. Carson about keeping the main thing the main thing, and why doing this matters.
Creative Nonfiction Writers’ Conference
Last week, my church gave me the chance to attend a writing conference. This is my ‘thank you’ letter to the pastor-elders at my church. In the letter, I share a few of the things I learned.
IS GOD ANTI-GAY? & WASHED AND WAITING (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)
There has been a steady stream of books about homosexuality published in the last few years, but two in particular from evangelical authors have received a lot of attention. The two books I am speaking of are IS GOD ANTI-GAY? by Sam Allberry and WASHED AND WAITING by Wesley Hill. And they should receive attention; they are great books.
A Conversational Ode to Christian Mothers
Months ago, in a blog post I promised I would occasionally have poetry on my blog, but so far I have not delivered on that promise—until now. In honor of Mother’s Day, here is a poem to encourage young mothers to keep their identity in Christ.
Mock Interview of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 33
Genesis 33 is the story of the reuniting of two brothers named Jacob and Esau. Bad blood kept them estranged for twenty years. In this (long) blog post, I had the privilege of sitting down for an interview with Jacob and Esau to explore just what was going on behind their words and actions in this confusing chapter of the Bible.
In a World of Sloppy Reading
We learn to read in kindergarten and improve that skill throughout the rest of our education. However, it seems to me that much of our adult life is aimed at un-learning this skill, not because we can’t still read words, but because we are drowning in content. And this influences our Bible reading. Here are a few thoughts on sloppy reading, good preaching, and growing fruit in your own backyard.
MOM ENOUGH edited by Tony and Karalee Reinke (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)
Becoming a mother is to enlist in a war. And what makes this war so difficult, is that the enemies are not always obvious. MOM ENOUGH is written by women that know much about the difficulties of this war, but who also know about how to win.
Lessons about Writing from Three Dribbles and a Jump Shot
Sometimes when you read a small sample of a larger piece of writing you just know immediately that the author is an excellent author. Here are some reflections about noticing this, and then how to learn from it.
FUTURE MEN by Douglas Wilson (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)
A FAN AND FLAME book review of FUTURE MEN by Douglas Wilson, an excellent roadmap to train boys (of all ages) to be the men God designed us to be.
Spring Loaded Camming Devices and The Expository Sermon
What does a certain piece of rock climbing gear have in common with a certain type of sermon? Both attach people to the rock.
LIT! by Tony Reinke (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)
There was a time when I hated to read and write. Today, all of that has changed. But with this change came questions. For example, how do I pick which books to read, and once I do read them, how shall I make the most of them? Tony Reinke wrote a helpful book called LIT! to answer these questions.
Reflections on The Bachelor
After nineteen seasons, I finally watched some of The Bachelor. And because I believe women should be held in honor, and because I believe sex is a gift from God, I won’t ever watch again.
Burning Hearts: Preaching to the Affections by Moody and Weekes - A Review
A review of Burning Hearts: Preaching to the Affections by Moody and Weeks.
THE GRAVE ROBBER by Mark Batterson (FAN AND FLAME Book Reviews)
A FAN AND FLAME book review of THE GRAVE ROBBER by Mark Batterson. It’s a book about miracles, hope and hardship, and the unchanging God.
A Parsimonious Worldview
It’s always nice to hear different types of people affirming the same basic thing. Here is an extended passage from a book about writing (WORDSMITHY by Douglas Wilson) where the author echoes something I shared last week from author Anne Lamott in her book BIRD BY BIRD.