When I was serving as a local church Pastor, I often used the words giving and generous as though they were synonyms. In fact, I would often thank people for their generosity when I should have thanked them for their giving. Here’s what I’ve since decided about generosity. Suppose I was to ask you for…
How to Persevere (2 Corinthians 4:13-18)
But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And…
Are You a “Digital Giver?”
Online giving was a novelty in the American Church prior to COVID. But the closure of churches during the pandemic caused churches to scramble to maintain their offering revenue in the absence of giving in person. COVID normalized the practice of online giving. Almost every church, regardless of size, offers it to their members. Website…
Jars of Clay (2 Corinthians 4:7-12)
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to…
He Gets Us
You’ve probably seen the television advertising campaign that is captioned with the phrase, “He Gets Us.” This has been a nationwide campaign led by David Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby. The commercials take basic principles of the gospel and overlay it with the contemporary human experience. Reportedly, the target audience of these commercials are Millennials…
5 Characteristics of Authentic Ministry (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)
Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this. If the Good News we preach is…
The Glowing Face (2 Corinthians 3:7-18)
The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new…
Can I Use You as a Reference? (2 Corinthians 3:1-6)
We’ve all had the experience of preparing for a job interview, which includes the preparation of a resume which cites our education and experience. The resume will usually include at least three references to serve as validation for all that we have claimed about our work history. When selecting a reference, it goes without saying…
An Audience of One (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)
But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved…
Barna Report on Rising Spiritual Openness In America
If you watch television, you’ve probably seen the advertising campaign that overlays a contemporary setting with a spiritual theme, concluding with the phrase, “He Gets Us. All of Us.” This campaign is directed toward the Millennials and Generation Z as an acknowledgement to the rising spiritual openness in America. The research observes that there is…
The Out of Ur Podcast Update
One of my original goals for rebranding my site (Out of Ur) was to begin a podcast. I have not forgotten this objective, and hope to have it launched during the first quarter of 2023. I will provide ongoing updates and let you know the launch date when I get closer! Thank you for your…
The Top Ten Posts of 2022
I am humbled and grateful for each person who has followed my blog site this year. Some of you have been around for a while, others are newer to this site. My hope is that it has provided support in some small way toward your goal of Christlikeness in your journey of discipleship. I thought…
Leading by Example (2 Corinthians 2:5-13)
I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to…
The 2022 Reading List
One of the goals I establish each year is to read a certain number of books. For 2022, my goal was 25. While I didn’t quite reach that number, I did read some good books. Here’s my 2022 reading list.
21 Tips for a Positive New Year
One of the author’s I follow is Jon Gordon, who helps corporations and athletic teams develop positive cultures. This week Jon posted 21 Tips for a Positive New Year. I liked it and wanted to share it here. You’ll notice that his list primarily focuses on repositioning old habits and tendencies that turn negatives into…
Paul’s Pattern for Leadership (2 Corinthians 1:23-2:4)
Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you…
Christmas Joy Without Financial Misery
Here’s a great blog post from our friends at Christian Stewardship Network on how to experience Christmas Joy Without Financial Misery.
How to Answer Your Critics (2 Corinthians 1:15-22)
Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice—first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea. You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you…
Holiness and Sincerity (2 Corinthians 1:12-14)
We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. Our letters have been straightforward, and there…
God of the Resurrection (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)
We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and…
Vote!
We have a form of absentee voting in Iowa that allows registered voters to vote early in person. Due to my extensive travel schedule I took time this week to vote at our county Auditor’s office. As I waited for my wife to finish casting her ballot I spoke with a volunteer election official who…
The God of All Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we…
2 Corinthians: Exploring the Paradoxes of the Christian Life (2 Corinthians 1:1-2)
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to God’s church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. (2…
American Beliefs Shift During Pandemic
Lifeway Research published a report that cites some major shifts in beliefs that were impacted by the pandemic. Two of these research points are of particular interest. First, 66% of Americans believe that worshipping alone or with family is a valid replacement for church attendance. Second, 56% of Americans do not believe that Christians have…
Final Thoughts (James 5:19-20)
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. (James 5:19-20, NLT) As promised, James’ epistle has been packed with practical…
Three Times We Should Pray (James 5:13-18)
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the…
Patience and Endurance (James 5:7-12)
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about…
Rich Man, Poor Man (James 5:1-6)
Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded…
How Inflation is Affecting Charitable Giving
WealthManagement.com weighed in this week on the 2022 Giving USA report with some important insights. In a post titled How Inflation is Affecting Charitable Giving, the authors noted that while inflation may not reduce the charitable intent of generous people, inflation has reduced the impact of the charitable giving dollar. The same dollar given in…
Lifeway Research on Women in Church Leadership
According to a study released by Lifeway Research this week, not much has shifted in terms of acceptance of women in church leadership. The report states that Mainline denominations continue to set the pace, with some 76% affirming of women in the role of Senior Pastor, while 44% of evangelical denominations affirm the same.
Planning vs. Presumption (James 4:13-17)
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you…
On Slanderous Speech (James 4:11-12)
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to…
Where is The Growth of Nondenominational Churches Coming From?
Christianity Today recently posted research on the growth of nondenominational churches and where their growth is coming from. Their research reports that even though mainline denominations appear to be in a death spiral, those who leave the mainlines are not necessarily jumping to the trendy, new nondenominational congregations. Rather, they are identifying as the growing…
Upside Down (James 4:7-10)
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and…
Jennifer Garcia Bashaw on Jesus’ Treatment of Women
Over the past two weeks I’ve been introduced to the work of Jennifer Garcia Bashaw, who serves as a Professor of New Testament and Christian Ministry at Campbell University. Her recent book, Scapegoats: The Gospel Through the Eyes of Victims contains a section she presented in a recent webinar discussing Jesus’ and the Gospel’s treatment…
Barna Report on Polarization in America
Here is a summary of a report on Polarization in America released by Barna Research this week. The only surprise for me is the apparent lack of self awareness we have as a nation, cited in 91% of respondents claim to welcome different ways of thinking on important topics, accompanied by another 78% who claim…
On Envy and Jealousy (James 4:4-6)
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has…
Praying with Unclenched Fists (James 4:1-3)
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away…
The Leading Cause for Pastors Who Want to Quit
Barna research has released a new study on the leading causes of pastoral burn out and the increased numbers of pastors who want to quit vocational ministry. Pastoral tenure, according to the report, ebbs and flows primarily around self care and their personal spiritual formation practices. I’m not sure this is anything ground breaking, but…
The 7 Virtues of Wisdom (James 3:17-18)
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap…
Roe is Reversed. Is the Right Ready?
David French, along with other conservatives, has raised some significant questions regarding the reversal of Roe v. Wade last week. Now that a 50 year old ruling has reverted abortion laws to the states, how will conservative evangelicals align their pro-life values in support of their accomplishment? For example, Will the funds that have been…
True Wisdom and It’s Vices (James 3:13-16)
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of…
Are You Still Passing the Plate?
My friend Greg Gibbs has written a thoughtful piece on the practice of passing the offering plate in worship that is worth your reflection. You can read the article HERE.
Fresh Data on Inflation from the ECFA
The Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability has issued this helpful advisory regarding the inflationary impact on not for profit organizations. You can find the article HERE.
You Can’t Have It Both Ways (James 3:7-12)
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in…
Small But Mighty (James 3:3-6)
We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny…
The Q2 Unstuck Church Group Report
The team at MortarStone enjoys a partnership with Tony Morgan and the Unstuck Group, who provide church consulting for churches across the spectrum. These churches range from those experiencing dynamic growth all the way to churches that are in decline. The Unstuck Group provides a great report each quarter based on the trends they see…
A Great Illustration!
Last week I was with Hill Country Bible Church in Austin, Texas. While I was there, DeWayne McNally shared a story from Texas history that I asked to share. Sam Houston became the sixth governor of the state of Texas in 1859. Life on the Texas frontier was rough and rugged. Men molded by the…
Taming the Tongue (James 3:1-2)
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. (James 3:1-2, NLT) We live in a…
Faith Works (James 2:14-26)
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you…
The Shrinking American Middle Class
The Pew Research Center has published new findings on the shrinking middle class in America. American’s have probably already felt this to some degree, but the article cites some helpful information related to the diminishing middle class. What does this mean for churches and their stewardship ministries? How should church leadership address this?
Pastors and Plagiarism
The digital age has made information accessible to the masses. This advent has also revealed a subsequent issue in America’s pulpits: plagiarism. The Oxford Dictionary defines plagiarism as “the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.” The practice of plagiarism in the pulpit is definitely not new,…
How to Connect with Younger Givers
As the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers begin to age out of the American church, so will their financial support. One of the worst assumptions church leaders can make is that Generation X and the Millennials will pick up the giving dollar for dollar. Here’s a great article from Christianity Today on how churches…
Playing Favorites (James 2:1-13)
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention…
Easter Facts and Stats
Here’s a fun infographic on Easter provided by Wallet Hub.
Do the Word (James 1:21-27)
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to…
Anger Management (James 1:19-20)
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. (James 1:19-20, NLT) One of the characteristics of the Book of James is its simplicity. It can be read and understood without much of a trained eye….
The Top 10 Things to Know About the Generosity of Women
Here are 10 things you need to know about the generosity of women, thanks to Mary Jovanovich of Schwab Charitable: 62% of women are the primary sources of household wealth 40% of women out earn their husbands 47% of all businesses are owned by women Women will inherit over $28 Trillion in the next four…
Stay Steady (James 1:12-18)
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own…
The Unstuck Group’s Quarterly Findings
Tony Morgan and The Unstuck Group released their quarterly report last week with the following data, some of which is expected and some you’ll find to be a pleasant surprise. What I Expected: In Person Worship Attendance is down 30% Online Worship is up 152% General Fund Giving is down 1.6% Giving Units/Households that Give…
The Top 10 Most Popular Bible Translations
Thom Rainer reveals a major shift if the popularity of Bible translations, as the New Living Translation moves into the second spot and the King James Version drops to number four. Here is the link to the article. I personally made the shift to the NLT soon after its release in 1996 for its readability…
Churches Are Still Recovering
A new study from Lifeway Research reports that while Churches continue to open their doors for in person worship, one in four attendees has yet to return. You can view the report HERE.
Live Humbly (James 1:9-11)
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they…
Seek Wisdom (James 1:5-8)
Wisdom is an important theme in the Book of James, revealing the author’s influence from Old Testament wisdom literature such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. As James provides direction for times of duress, prayer for wisdom is the second sequential suggestion he offers. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give…
Choose Joy (James 1:2-4)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4, NLT) One…
Barna Report on Pastoral Credibility
Barna Research has published a new report on the credibility of pastors in America. Much of the erosion, as you will read, is due to the mishandling of power and authority that comes with the office and will only be remedied by reimagining what pastoral authority in congregational life looks like.
Introduction to James (James 1:1)
This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! (James 1:1, NLT) Welcome to my next series of online Bible studies. Today I will begin a series from a significant, albeit misunderstood New Testament letter, the Book of…
Racial Diversity in U.S. Congregations
Here’s an interesting article on the lack of racial diversity in American congregations. While racial diversity is still desired by the vast majority of pastors, it is by and large aspirational given they do not know how to achieve this goal. According to the study, a congregation is racially diverse when the predominant ethnicity is…
The Final Word (Ecclesiastes 12:8-14)
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.” Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. The words of the wise are like cattle…
U.S. Pastor’s Identify Their Greatest Needs
Lifeway Research has compiled a survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors in order to list and rank what they cite is their greatest needs. I don’t believe there are any eye-popping surprises here, but I encourage you to take three minutes and take a look. If you’re a layperson, you might discover ways to be helpful…
One Man’s Opinion
A work colleague shared this Twitter thread with our team this week from Eugene Kim. It’s not an article, per se, but he does make some interesting observations about the state of today’s Church from his personal experience. The thread has provided some interesting conversations. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Where…
Remember Him (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7)
As Ecclesiastes comes to an end, the Preacher transitions from his exploration of life’s absurdities to a chapter of exhortations for the reader to consider. Scholars are divided as to whether this section should be taken as an apocalyptic view on the end of all human life (Peter Enns, Iain Provan) or if it should…
Why They’re Not Coming Back to Church
Carey Nieuwhof has written a thoughtful article on post Covid attendance. In it he discusses why people are not coming back and what to do with those who have. The main takeaway surrounds the connectedness of people. Those who were connected and engaged have made their way back while those who did not have connections…
Youth is Wasted on the Young (Ecclesiastes 11:7-10)
American playwright George Bernard Shaw is generally credited as the source of this telling quotation. He wrote, “Youth is the most precious thing in life; it is too bad it has to be wasted on young folks.” As Ecclesiastes comes to a close, we can sense the urgency in Qoheleth’s speech as he addresses the…
Getting Unstuck
We have more options available and at our disposal today than at any time in human history. The sheer number of choices at any given time is staggering. Whether its the number of search results on your web browser or the jam packed menus offered by fast food chains, we are overwhelmed by variety, and…
New Gallup Poll on Giving, Volunteering
Here is a new Gallup Poll on Giving and Volunteering in Churches. The short version is that giving is starting to rebound toward pre-pandemic levels. On the other hand, people are still reluctant to return to service and volunteering. Though vaccinations are now commonly available, the unpredictability of variants is the leading factor in volunteer…
My 2021 Reading List
Younique, by Will Mancini Changing for Good, by Prochaska, Norcross and DiClemente A Church Called Tov, by Scot McKnight Insurrection, by Peter Rollins Devotional Classics, by Richard Foster/J.B. Smith Broken Signposts, by NT Wright Full Spectrum Thinking, by Bob Johansen Spiritual Classics, by Richard Foster/Emilie Griffin Essentialism, by Greg McKeown Empire, Economics, and the New…
Neither Poverty nor Riches
This weekend I finished Neither Poverty nor Riches by Craig Blomberg. The book serves as a theological survey of Scripture regarding money and possessions. Here are Blomberg’s final five conclusions from this book which I highly recommend: Material possessions are a good gift from God meant for his people to enjoy. Material possessions are simultaneously…
Using Common Sense (Ecclesiastes 10)
The twenty verses of Ecclesiastes chapter 10 are proverbial statements that urge the reader to exercise common sense when navigating the challenges of life. While each proverb can potentially stand on its own merit, I find it somewhat helpful to see them in an organized fashion. These groupings help the individual statements by rounding out…
Why I Use a “Paper” Planner
I was introduced to Daytimer in the mid-eighties and for two and one half decades it served as my primary planning tool. My Daytimer was always as close to me as my cell phone is today, serving as my trusted companion to help me review prior days and upcoming tasks. Even with the incorporation of…
I’m Impressed! (Ecclesiastes 9:12-16)
About two years ago I came across this portion of Ecclesiastes and found it to be striking. I hadn’t noticed it before, but it was a game changer. If you take Solomon as the writer of Ecclesiastes, you’ll recognize him as renown for his exceptional wisdom. He was so wise, kings from around the region…
Wisdom for the New Year (Ecclesiastes 9:1-12)
This, too, I carefully explored: Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God’s hands, no one knows whether God will show them favor. The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether righteous or wicked, good or bad, ceremonially clean or unclean, religious or irreligious. Good people receive the same treatment as sinners, and…
Why Church Leaders Can’t “Wait and See”
Tony Morgan of the Unstuck Group published an article at the end of 2021 titled, Church Leaders, We Can’t Afford to Wait and See. It is a must read for every Pastor, staff member, deacon or board member. If you aren’t currently holding a position in church leadership, I recommend that you share this with…
You’re Kidding, Right? (Ecclesiastes 8:10-17)
As chapter 8 comes to a close, the writer of Ecclesiastes voices the same concerns about fairness and equity that we pose today. His observations seem more striking when put in writing than when they are reduced to water cooler banter. I have seen wicked people buried with honor. Yet they were the very ones…
The 2021 Reading List
This year has been a good one for reading and my life has been enriched by the following books. Perhaps there’s one or more that you would care to add to your wish list for 2022! Younique by Will Mancini Changing for Good by Prochaska, Norcross, and DiClemente A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight…
I Didn’t See That Coming (Ecclesiastes 8:1-8)
How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things.Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness. Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. Don’t try to avoid doing your duty, and don’t stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants. His command is backed by great power….
Fourth Sunday of Advent: LOVE
Does anyone do a love song better than country music? Here are some famous and infamous song titles from the world of country western music: * Don’t Cry on My Shoulders Cuz You’re Rustin’ My Spurs* Her Teeth was Stained but her Heart was Pure* How can I Miss You if You Won’t Go Away*…
Just Out of Reach (Ecclesiastes 7:15-29)
One of the keys to interpreting Ecclesiastes is remembering that this is one man’s experience, therefore we should be careful not to universalize his words. That principle is especially helpful when trying to untangle this flowing stream of consciousness that concludes chapter 7. If we can let Qoheleth speak from his experience, then we can…
Third Sunday of Advent: JOY
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great…
Remembering Those We Lost
Like many, I lost a loved one during COVID. My mother died in a skilled nursing center in January, and due to the pandemic she died alone, unattended by her family due to the restrictions that were in place at her skilled nursing center. Instead of having a funeral to honor her life, seven of…
Second Sunday of Advent: PEACE
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit…
Facing the Facts (Ecclesiastes 7:1-14)
Chapter 7 begins the second section of the book, beginning with a series of Proverbs designed to provide perspective on the present by viewing it in light of our mortality. 1 A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.2 Better to spend your…
Preaching Christmas Sermons
Many of my pastoral colleagues absolutely love preaching at Christmas. But even those who enjoy preaching this particular season of the Christian calendar admit that it can be difficult, especially with longevity of ministry tenure. After all, how many ways can you proclaim the Christmas story? Contemporary preachers may feel increasing pressure to deliver fresh,…
First Sunday of Advent: HOPE
Christmas is incomplete without music. Some of the most memorable music comes from the Advent season. Songs that inspire and encourage. Songs of Hope. Songs of Peace. Songs of Joy. Songs of Love. If you enjoy classical music, you have Handel’s Messiah. If you are a traditionalist, nothing beats a good Christmas carol. If you’re…
A Prayer for Thanksgiving
As we approach Thanksgiving this week, I offer a prayer for your Thanksgiving meditation that was penned by Walter Brueggemann and published in his book Prayers for a Privileged People. Amid football, family, and too much food, we pause quickly and without inconvenience to remember and to thank. we remember the ancient pilgrims who followed…
Are We Having Fun Yet? (Ecclesiastes 6:1-12)
Chapter 6 serves as a summary statement of sorts for all of the preceding material and is best understood with that thought in mind. At the conclusion, Qoheleth will transition into the second half of the book that is noted by a shift in the tone of his argumentation. For today, however, I’ll consider chapter…
It’s Never Enough (Ecclesiastes 5:8-20)
If the writer of Ecclesiastes felt there was an issue with the consumption rates of people in his day, what would he think of our appetite levels in the 21st century? To that question, we see once again how this book is both timeless and simultaneously timely to the reader. In this post I will…
Replacing Our Religion
Check out this timely article by Mitch Albom published in the Detroit Free Press about how Americans are replacing religion with The Church of Social Media, where we preach our own sermons.
Talk is Cheap (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7)
There is a strange passage at the end of Judges chapter 12 about a man named Jephthah who made a foolish vow to the Lord. According to the text, he was preparing for a significant battle against the Ammonites. As part of his preparation he made a vow that he would offer the first thing…
A Bit of a New Look
Thanks for your patience with last week’s posts from the Out of Ur newsletter. My website was in need of some much needed maintenance so a lot of energy went into working on the site’s infrastructure this week. You’ll notice that there’s a new look, which is a transition step to what I hope to…
The Flavor of the Day (Ecclesiastes 4:13-16)
There is an old saying in sports that claims the most popular player on the football team is the backup quarterback. This points to the irony behind our insatiable desire for the current leader to be supplanted by the next, who although unproven and untried is assumed to be superior to the leader in place….
On the Shrinking American Church Landscape
Here is another Lifeway Report on the discrepancies between large churches and small churches. The report cites that churches with more than 250 in attendance represent only 10% of American congregations, but host more than 60% of all church goers. The report, based on the 2020 Faith Communities Today (FACT) study, states that half of…
People are Trickling Back to In-Person Worship
A new Lifeway Research report claims that 2 in 3 U.S. church goers have made their way back to in-person worship at their church. The remaining third still cite lack of confidence concerning the virus and potential outbreaks as their main point of hesitation. If church members are waiting for the end of COVID-19 before…
Simply Brilliant!
I just finished reading Simply Brilliant, by William C. Taylor. He summarizes his material with eight questions that will help organizations do ordinary things in extraordinary ways. Here’s the list. Can you develop a definition of success that allows you to stand apart from the competition and inspires others to stand with you? Can you…
Finding Value in Relationships (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
In the last post, the preacher spoke of the absurdity of one who pursues wealth for no other reason than to possess wealth. Having no beneficiary, he simply works hard in order to have more. The preacher then pushes pause and reflects on the value of meaningful relationships in life. Here’s what he recorded: Two…
What’s Your Why? (Ecclesiastes 4:4-8)
“People lose their way when they lose their why.” I don’t know if that statement is original with Michael Hyatt, but he’s the first one I heard say it. That turn of the phrase stuck in my memory and came to mind again this week as I worked on the next section of Ecclesiastes. Then…
Life’s Injustices (Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3)
I think the first complaint we may have uttered as children is “that’s not fair.” And the last complaint we very well may utter before death is “life’s not fair.” Those phrases are our attempts to articulate the irreconcilable injustices of life, particular to our comparisons with others. The Teacher of Ecclesiastes may have possessed…
Modern Day Prophets
I was an early adopter to Twitter and still use it on a daily basis. For the last several weeks, my feed has been occupied by modern day prophets who are elbowing their way into the evangelical conscience, pounding the keyboard about problems in the American church in 140 characters or less. There are three…
Secrecy vs. Confidentiality
It’s common to hear a church leader struggle with the challenge of developing and discipling their givers when their church’s giving records are closed. My company, MortarStone Generosity, provides data analytics and intelligence software that measure the recency, frequency, volume and tenure of givers so that church leaders can encourage givers to take steps toward…
The Tyranny of Time (Ecclesiastes 3:1-15)
Football season is here, which means that many of us will spend our Saturdays and Sundays watching games either in person or on television. Each game begins the same. Two opposing teams take the field with the same score: 0-0. The game kicks off and concludes when time elapses and the scoreboard announces the final…
Being Fully Present (Ecclesiastes 2:18-26)
I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned. And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless! So I gave up in…
What’s Up With Deconstruction?
A friend sent me an article today from the Mere Orthodoxy website asking my thoughts about the current trend of theological deconstruction that is becoming prevalent in evangelical communities of faith. The author, Skyler Flowers, does an appreciable job of attempting to develop categories that sort the conversation, albeit akin to nailing jello to the…
Barna on Global Missions Trends
I realize that the primary focus of American churches during the global pandemic has been and continues to be re-opening and re-engaging their congregations, but according to Barna’s most recent report, churches also have a lot of work to do in the area of re-engaging in global missions and evangelism. According to his report titled,…
MLK Jr’s Volunteer Commitment Card
I was unaware that Martin Luther King, Jr., required every volunteer to sign the following commitment card: I HEREBY PLEDGE MYSELF–MY PERSON AND MY BODY–TO THE NONVIOLENT MOVEMENT. THEREFORE I WILL KEEP THE FOLLOWING TEN COMMANDMENTS. MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus. REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice…
I Hate (my) Life (Ecclesiastes 2:12-18)
So I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness (for who can do this better than I, the king?). I thought, “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. For the wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark.” Yet I saw that the wise and the…
The Experiment Continues (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11)
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I…
There is One Sin
“There is one sin: to call a green leaf grey, Whereat the sun in heaven shuddereth.” — G.K. Chesterton This quote was cited by Lynn Anderson in his book Talking Back to God, as he described walking through his cancer diagnosis and the accompanying ‘dark night of the soul.’ When I read it, it leaped…
The Experiment (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3)
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at…
Lifeway Research on ‘Shrinking Donors’
Lifeway Research has recently contributed to the commentary on stewardship and generosity with a report that cites research conducted by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The report echos what others have been stating all summer, chiefly that the pool of givers to religious organizations is dwindling. How is it, then, that in the face…
Praying for Our Schools
Tonight I will participate in a nondenominational prayer gathering led by my wife at her elementary school. It is organized by Inspire Our Schools.org. I am grateful that our central Iowa school districts are willing to allow volunteers come to school campuses to surround the buildings with prayer for the new school year. I have…
The Struggle is Real (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)
I have always identified with Paul’s honest self evaluation recorded at the end of Romans 7 (7:21-25). Like Qoheleth, Paul wrote in first person about his experience and struggle as he attempted to reconcile his inner world and outer world. There, he spoke of his search for meaning and his struggle with moral victory. As…
Preaching from Ecclesiastes
Saving Private Ryan was released in 1998, featuring Tom Hanks as Captain Miller. In the movie, Captain Miller is charged with the responsibility of finding paratrooper Private James Ryan and returning him to his family who had already lost three sons during World War 2. The movie, which won seven Academy Awards, invests several minutes…
Life on the Treadmill (Ecclesiastes 1:1-11)
Over 60 million Americans own a treadmill, making it the single most popular piece of home exercise equipment. People continue to purchase treadmills because of their flexibility (you can change speed or incline) and convenience. My wife and I own one, and she actually uses it to walk and run. I’ve often reflected on the…
Introduction to Ecclesiastes
For the first 18 centuries, Old Testament scholars have attributed the authorship of Ecclesiastes to Solomon. This was based on the allusions of verses 1:1 and 1:16, where the writer claims he is “King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem,” and that he was “wiser than any of the kings in Jerusalem before” him. Since…
The 2020 Giving USA Report
Americans are incredibly blessed. Those in our nation who are age 60 and above average $800,000 in personal assets. In the coming years our nation will see the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of the world as over $33 trillion will pass from one generation to their designated beneficiaries. The 2020 Giving USA…
Life in the Same Lane
Years ago the Eagles made popular a song titled, “Life in the Fast Line,” depicting the toil and pain that comes with living life filled with hard partying. If you change the song title and chorus to “Life in the Same Lane,” you’ll find a fair description of Ecclesiastes. Beginning next week I’m going to…
Why People Resist Change
I’m currently reading Tempered Resilience, by Tod Bolsinger, which includes this fabulous quote from the work of Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky: “People do not resist change, per se. People resist loss. You appear dangerous to people when you question their values, beliefs, or habits of a lifetime. You place yourself on the line when…
Canoeing the Mountains
The year following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Captain Meriwether Lewis to find the most direct and practical water route across the continent from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean for the purposes of commerce. For over 300 years explorers from at least four sovereign nations had been looking for…
Don’t Look Back
Many years ago I engaged a church member in a conversation about an obscure verse found in Luke 17:32. The verse simply read, “Remember Lot’s wife.” These words were spoken by Jesus in the context of a teaching he was giving about his return. The original hearer would have heard the phrase and recalled the…
More Data on the Decline of Mainlines
Here’s some research from Christianity Today on the Decline of Mainline Denominations and the Impact on Evangelicals. The main takeaway for me is that while mainline defectors first preference for relocation is in an evangelical church, evangelical defectors number one relocation spot is to become part of the rising “nones.” Surprising to no one should…
Perspective Matters
Once there was a man who walked alone down a dark street late at night. Out of nowhere appeared a man who was wearing a mask and carrying a knife. The masked man cut the man and took all of his money. A passerby found the man lying on the sidewalk and called an ambulance….
Getting Right Sized
Last week I was standing on the sand of the Pacific Ocean. While children played in the sand and surfers tried to catch a wave I watched as the sun began to set in the western horizon. The noise of the ocean was deafening, repeating the same cadence over and over. As I stood on…
How I Read the Bible
During my years of pastoral ministry I committed to read the Bible through, cover to cover, every single year. And I did, without fail. I had always believed that any pastor worth their salt should do at least that much, given the responsibility of teaching and preaching the text each week. In many ways it…
Tips on Officiating Your Child’s Wedding
Over the course of 36 years of ministry I’ve performed a lot of wedding ceremonies. Scores of them. The first one I did was for a high school friend at the mature age of 21. Since then I’ve seen a lot, from traditional ceremonies in churches with white dresses and black tuxedos to cowboy themed…
When Life Feels Random
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a…
Let Go And Let God
“Let go and let God” is bad theology, right beside other ‘fridge magnets like “God helps those who help themselves” and “God won’t give you anything you can’t handle on your own.” When people say “let go and let God,” I think they mean that they are facing a situation that is beyond their control…
Three Ideas For Sermon Series
When I served in the local church I was always preaching a series of sermons, which meant that I was always brainstorming ideas for upcoming series of sermons. Sometimes they were expositions of entire books in the Bible or lengthy passages such as the Sermon of the Mount. Other times I enjoyed preaching a series…
Overcoming a Bad Church Experience
We all know someone, probably more than one, who used to be an active part in a local church, but no longer attend due to a “bad experience.” Anywhere. At all. Maybe they felt judged because of a decision they made or by their lifestyle. Maybe they felt shamed when they blew it, or invalidated…
Casting Shadows
This week I spent some time preparing a meditation on the Old Testament story of Ruth. Nestled in the first half of the OT, Ruth is generally interpreted as a sweet love story. The reader is introduced to the main character who is grief stricken over the passing of her husband. She and her sister…
A Way Forward for the SBC
I grew up in Southern Baptist life. My father was a Southern Baptist pastor. I was ordained in a Southern Baptist church, and educated in Southern Baptist institutions. I served SBC churches in Missouri, Texas, and Arkansas. My personal departure from SBC life came due to my inability to reconcile the denomination’s position on women…
Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks
“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle….
Economic Stratification and Patronage in the First Century Roman Empire
Peter Oakes is the Rylands Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis at the University of Manchester. His recent monograph, titled, Empire, Economics, and the New Testament*, provides a couple of resources for generosity that I wanted to share. I hope that you will find them beneficial. ECONOMIC STRATIFICATION / CLASSES IN THE FIRST CENTURY 0.04%…
The National COVID-19 Church Attendance Project Report
“More than a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church is beginning to reopen in the United States. This process has been uneven, with many cities still under significant restrictions while others are able to operate with relatively minor accommodations. At the center of this season of reopening is the pressing need…
Finding Shade
We have a German Shepherd. Without a doubt, she is the smartest dog we’ve had, possessing an extensive vocabulary of English words (yes, that’s a thing). She’s active and athletic, and provides a lot of joy for our family. One of the things I’ve noticed about her is that she doesn’t care to be outside…
Measuring Spiritual Authenticity
One of the most subjective things we can evaluate is our own spiritual authenticity. Am I becoming more mature in my faith? Am I growing in my discipleship? Is there progress in my walk with Christ? Questions like these can create a struggle, leaving us to either listening to our “gut,” or, finding some prior…
My New (Ad)Venture
As I’ve previously stated here on my blog site, I stepped out of pastoral ministry last August, concluding 36 years of work in the local church. Today I’m pleased to share with you that I have accepted a new position with Mortar Stone where I will serve as Generosity Ministry Partner with churches across America….
State of the Bible – 2021
Here’s a new study from Barna research on how American’s view the Bible. Check it out here: https://www.barna.com/research/sotb-2021/. Are you surprised by anything in the report?
Maimonides’ Eight Levels of Charity
In the twelfth century, a Jewish scholar and Torah expert named Moses ben Maimon developed a philosophy of giving ranking the lowest form of giving to the highest form. Like rungs on a ladder, Maimonides, describes eight levels of charity as progressions that are accomplished through spiritual maturity. Jewish thinking viewed charitable giving as an…
Congratulations, Class of 2021!
Congratulations, Class of 2021! You did it with grace and elegance during a world wide pandemic! In the midst of shutdowns, limitations, cancellations, masks and social distancing you overcame adversity to accomplish one of the greatest milestones of your life to date. Celebrations are best served mixed with moments of reflection as we realized the…
Learning to Accept When I Don’t Approve
With the exception of one Elder led congregation, I have always been a part of a congregational church. A congregational form of church government means that the membership sits atop the organizational chart, providing the final thumbs up or thumbs down to initiatives from subsets of the church. A congregational church may delegate some of…
NEXT: Wait for the Promise
Over the past several weeks I’ve been posting reflections from a sermon series I did titled, “The Seven NEXT Words of Christ.” Each sermon dealt with the first post resurrection statements made by the risen Lord. This week I’ll cover the final post resurrection saying, found in Luke 24:49. “I am going to send you…
How Can The Church Be The Community Mothers Need?
Here’s a helpful article that is worthy of pastors’ attention about the struggles of motherhood and the challenge that churches face in meeting their needs. It’s by Dr. Heather Thompson Day, associate professor at Colorado Christian University. You can read the article at the following link: https://www.barna.com/guest-column-mothers/. I appreciate Day’s research about the stress levels…
Happy Mother’s Day!
Today is Mother’s Day, and for the first time I am not able to call, visit, or even send flowers to my mom. She died in January following a two week battle with COVID-19. I am sad that she suffered, and sad that her family could not be at her bedside to provide comfort and…
NEXT: Embracing Your Sentness
Graduation season has reminded me of how much fun I had during my senior year of high school. I had more than enough credits to graduate and had one block to fill. A friend of mine and I decided we should volunteer the last hour of the school day as office aides. (It wasn’t like…
Leaving Can Be Life Giving
The most recent issue of Christianity Today had a column by Rev. Dennis R. Edwards, PhD, titled, “Leaving Can Be Life Giving.” I thought it was a powerful account of a pastor who left his position due to systemic racism and institutional toxicity. The key quote from the article is, “Pay attention to the wounded…
Does Your Heart Condemn You?
“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from truth and we will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do…
NEXT: Peace Be With You
Peace is a scarce commodity in modern culture. More and more we tend to live in crisis mode, struggling to keep our heads above water as wave after wave of adversity pounds against our lives and homes. Living in survival mode will push hopes for peace to the margins of our prayers. Frankly, most of…
What Is Your Priority?
From Essentialism, by Greg McKeown: The word priority came into the English language in the 1400s. It was singular. It meant the very first or prior thing. It stayed this way for the next 500 years. Only in the 1900s did we pluralize the term and start talking about priorities. Illogically, we reasoned that by…
What Churchgoers Miss About In-Person Worship
This data was compiled during the COVID-19 closures in 2020. However, it is interesting to see how generations differ in what they missed and what they value in the corporate worship experience. What did you (or do you) miss most by not gathering in person for worship?
NEXT: What Are You Concerned About?
Jesus’ third post resurrection statement was made during his interaction with two pilgrims on the road to Emmaus. You can find the story in Luke 24:13-35. The narrative describes two disciples who had observed all of the events in Jerusalem during the first passion week. While on the journey home, they were joined by a…
How Church Goers Feel After Worship
Barna Research released a study this week which assessed how church goers feel after attending worship. These emotions range from feeling encouraged, disappointed, connected and more. To read the research you can use the following link: https://www.barna.com/research/churchgoers-feel/. The surprising statistic from this research is the level of disappointment people feel following worship attendance. A full…
The Goal of Faith is Clarity
“The opposite of faith is not doubt. The opposite of faith is certainty.” — Paul Tillich For many years I equated faith with certainty, a kind of “know so” posture that could rest in having all the answers. I began with certainties about who God is and my eternal destination in heaven. From those two…
NEXT: Don’t Be Afraid
The second post resurrection saying of Jesus cuts straight to the heart of where many of us live regularly. Check this out: Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the…
The Out of Ur Podcast
This week’s progress on the forthcoming Out of Ur Podcast included the completion of the artwork, thanks to the gifting and talent of my daughter Shannon. My original goal was to be ready to upload episodes by March, but I didn’t realize all of the work that was involved in setting up the infrastructure. So…
The 7 NEXT Sayings of Jesus
Last week we celebrated Easter, and I wanted to follow its observance with a series of posts titled, The 7 NEXT Sayings of Jesus. Many are familiar with the seven last sayings of Jesus uttered on the cross. But I wanted to focus on the first post resurrection comments from Christ because I felt they were…
I’m Spiritual, But Not Religious
Over the past several months I’ve enjoyed many conversations with irreligious people about faith. In my encounters I’ve heard one recurring theme over and over–“I’m spiritual, but not religious.” One person, when I pressed for further understanding, quipped, “Religion is sitting in church thinking about fishing. Spirituality is going fishing and thinking about God.” Without…
The New Gallup Poll on the Decline of U.S. Church Membership
In a recent poll released by Gallup, American church membership has declined to below 50% of the population. The study cites that in 2020, only 47% of U.S. adults belong to a church, synagogue, or mosque. That’s a 20 point reduction since the turn of the century (1999). The survey states the following reasons for…
Are You a Critical Person?
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29, NLT) Are you a critical person? I’m not talking about critical in the sense of vital importance, as in you play a critical role in an…
Is The Window Closing?
When John F. Kennedy ran for President, he often stated in campaign speeches that the Chinese word “crisis” was a combination of characters that combined the words danger and opportunity, yielding the meaning of “dangerous opportunity.” Since then, many leaders of business, education and popular culture have quoted this sentiment. But in actuality, the Chinese…
Keep Your Chin Up!
“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” (Psalm 3:3, NLT) Any time I would get down or discouraged when I was a kid my dad used to tell me to keep my chin up. I understood the metaphor and interpreted it as…
My (un)Biased Thinking
My friend Matt recently shared a podcast series titled Learning to See, produced by the Center for Action and Contemplation and hosted by Brian McLaren, Richard Rohr, and Jacqui Lewis. This series suggests 13 different biases that we can have, each serving as a lens through which we view the Bible, culture and current events….
More Like King Saul?
There would be little dispute that the most familiar Old Testament Bible story is the epic battle between David and Goliath. Sunday School teachers, Sunday morning preachers, high school coaches, and a host of others have leaned into this passage to describe how strength is overcome by weakness, evil surrenders to good, and big is…
A Church Called Tov: part 3
McKnight and Barringer spend one half of their book discussing what Tov is not. Part 2 of A Church Called Tov outlines seven habits of goodness that shift and shape a healthy culture of goodness in a church. Tov Churches Nurture Empathy. Citing the authors, “Empathy is the ability to feel what someone else feels,…
Impressing Solomon
About a year ago I came across a portion of Ecclesiastes that I found to be striking. I hadn’t noticed it before, but it was a game changer. If you take Solomon as the writer of Ecclesiastes, you’ll recognize him as renown for his exceptional wisdom. He was so wise, kings from around the region…
The Gift of Pre-Planned Funerals
(If you’re not a Pastor, the majority of this article can still be beneficial to you! Just skip the first and last paragraphs, and you’ll get to the core importance, which is your need to pre-plan your funeral!) As Pastors, we often try to stay out of the personal affairs of our congregants, especially when…
A Church Called Tov: part 2
Narcissism and power through fear are the entry points for toxic and dysfunctional church culture. When these are active in a church, the soil becomes fertile for increasing levels and variants of dysfunction. Let’s unpack those observations from McKnight and Barringer. The first step toward dysfunction is narcissism, a personality disorder that couples self love…
A Church Called Tov
Those of you who know me will be aware of my appreciation for Scot McKnight as a New Testament scholar and author. His commentaries and monographs are prominently displayed on my library shelves with respect and admiration. His latest work, co authored with his daughter Laura Barringer, is his most prophetic work to date. A…
A Checklist for Humility
As you can note from my reading list, I have included a book that is a compilation of men and women from antiquity who have written on the subject of spiritual formation. We have Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith to thank for sifting through thousands of pages to produce a work that I use…
Out of Ur: The Destination (part 2)
Any parent that has taken their family on a trip of any substantial distance is acquainted with the question, “Are we there yet?” or “How much longer until we get there?” In my case, it was my punishment for asking the question repeatedly as a child of my parents. As it has been said, you…
Relevant Sermons
Years ago I came across a book by Os Guinness titled Prophetic Untimeliness. In it Guinness asserts, “Never have Christians pursued relevance more strenuously; never have Christians been more irrelevant.” The challenge for the church is to be timely, not trendy. This comes not by being in step with the times, but having the courage to…
Out of Ur: The Destination
Much of Abram’s life had been spent in between his point of departure and his arrival in Canaan. While the biblical narrative doesn’t give us many details about Abram’s in between, we do learn some valuable lessons that can be of practical help to us today. First, Abram was willing to pull up the anchor…
The Hardest Part of Preaching
Most preachers have a routine of sermon preparation and delivery that has become natural and even reflexive. Some preachers prefer the study and writing, while others prefer the act of delivering the sermon. In order to be effective, preachers have to find a level of proficiency in both, otherwise the sermon will either be all…
Out of Ur: The Decision
Terah’s good intention to leave Ur and travel to the land of Canaan was disrupted at the half way point with a distraction. This distraction led him on an 80 mile detour to the city of Haran, where he stopped and settled. He put down roots in Haran and stayed there until he died. Distractions…
Why Sermons Are Boring
An old time evangelist named Vance Havner once quipped that “most churches start at 11:00 sharp and end at 12:00 dull.” This elicits a chuckle from many pew occupants simply because it is often true. One of the arguments against church attendance has been the criticism that sermons are boring. Is it still possible in…
Out of Ur: The Distraction
“This is the account of Terah’s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot. But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his brith, while his father, Terah, was still living. Meanwhile, Abram and Nahor both married.. The name of Abram’s wife was…
Preaching Without Notes
Several years ago I made the commitment to preach my sermons without the aid of notes. Seminary is very permission giving about what any preacher chooses to take into the pulpit. In other words, there is no right way to do it. Some will take a full manuscript, some will use a skeleton outline with…
Out of Ur: The Departure
It takes a lot of work to find a name for a podcast because many have already been claimed by other presenters. When I began the pursuit of a catchy, no more than three word brand I went through several iterations before finally settling on “Out of Ur.” Mind you, every idea I had centered…
Talk Like TED
I did my doctoral studies in the field of preaching, and consequently have read approximately 100 books on the topic. Each one of these has contributed to my thinking and practice of preaching and public speaking. Some time ago my friend Cliff Jenkins recommended a book by Carmine Gallo that may be one of the…
What Do You Want?
Imagine that Jesus walked into your community. Crowds are pressing around him and the disciples are trying to clear a path like a first century secret service. Now think about a need in your life that is beyond overwhelming. You’ve tried everything and everyone, but there is no relief. What would you do if Jesus…
The Eight Pockets of Stewardship
People who regularly attend church services or who have joined a local faith community have particular giving habits and patterns. It’s important that those who steward the financial resources of a congregation understand that donors are not motivated equally by every appeal. In my pastoral experience, there are eight different pockets of giving in a…
Would You Like to Get Well?
Jesus asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” (John 5:5-8, NLT) John…
The Unheralded Essential Workers
For nearly a year we have wrestled with the world wide pandemic, and as long as we have witnessed the struggle we have celebrated our health care community. These doctors and nurses have been on the “front lines” of dealing with the most severe cases that require hospitalization. Our health care workers have been honored…
The 2020 State of the Plate
For the past several years I’ve been invited to participate in a stewardship study conducted by Brian Kluth in partnership with Christianity Today that explores stewardship trends among American churches. This year’s survey was complied from the responses of nearly 1,100 churches from all 50 states. Of the respondents, 60% represent churches of 200 or…
The #1 Enemy of Change
Welcome to 2021. For most of us, it couldn’t get here fast enough. This past year was tough of many. Individuals, family units, businesses and churches all faced struggles they had never before experienced. The sunrise of the New Year brings cautious optimism as we contemplate what we want and need in the upcoming weeks….
Welcome to Out of Ur!
This past year has brought forward some new opportunities for me, the greatest of which is my venture into online ministry platforms. Many of you may be aware that since 2007 I have blogged at this site. For some time I took a break, but have re-committed to regular posts as I continue to work…
The Best of 2020 in Books
This past year has been unique, to say the least. One of the disruptions of 2020 was my reading patterns. I did not reach my initial reading goal, but did come across some interesting books that I found beneficial. Here’s the list. In the field of Personal Development: Anger Intelligence, by Mitchell Messer It Takes…
The Fourth Man, Part 2
The three young men demonstrated a risky faith by challenging the king’s nutritional demands. Their proposal proved to everyone that they had the better diet. But in Daniel 3, their faith shifted from risky to radical as they proposed that they had a better God. Daniel 3 is the fertile soil of children who grow…
The Fourth Man
I grew up in church, where Bible stories were plentiful. There were stories of boys defeating giants and nations crossing seas on dry ground while enemies were detained by pillars of fire. Old, crusty prophets stood their ground against entitled pagan kings and were fed by ravens. These stories were formative in my concept of…
For Cave Dwellers Only, Part 2
What lessons are available in the cave? Let me share four for your consideration. First, when you find yourself in a cave, remember you’re in the cave with a King. Those who gathered there may not have recognized David as such in that moment, but it was true nonetheless. This reminds us that we are…
For Cave Dwellers Only, Part 1
“So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Abdullam.” (1 Samuel 22:1) For many of us, these past six weeks have created a deep sense of isolation and loneliness. Social distancing is poor phrasing, because we are by nature social creatures. I prefer to call it physical distancing. Even though our physical proximities…
Scarcity Thinking vs. Abundance Thinking
The COVID-19 pandemic has many thinking about scarcity. I can remember my dad tell stories about rationing during World War II. While we’re not there (yet), there are those I talk to who have concerns about the availability of toilet paper, disinfecting wipes, hand soap, and hand sanitizer. These conversations reminded me of what Michael…
The Law of the Harvest
Over the weekend I finished It Takes What it Takes, by Trevor Moawad. If you’re unfamiliar with him, he’s a mental coach who works with professional athletes and NCAA athletic programs. The quote that stood out to me from the book is as follows: “You are what you do, and you’ve become what you’ve done.”…
Prayer for the Week
Father, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you, I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my…
Disrupting Thinking
My wife is an elementary reading teacher, specializing in helping kids with reading comprehension, accuracy and fluency. She spends her days in small circles of children helping them improve what would arguably be the most important skill anyone could possess. Because of her dedication as a teacher she is always looking for ways to improve…
The Key to Our Strength
One of the recurring themes of the Psalms is the question, “How long, O Lord?” That seems particularly relevant given the times we live in. But it wasn’t just the Psalmist who raised this question while enduring hardship. Its a theme that runs through the Old Testament that also serves as the context for one…
Three Observations for the Church
Throughout history, nothing has been more polarizing than suffering. Some will view human suffering as a reason to not believe in God, while others will see suffering as a reason to run directly into the arms of God. This is the time for us to say to our cities and communities, “hope is right in…
Prayer for the Week by Dallas Willard
Lord Jesus Christ, We are so thankful that you have said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” We are thankful for the ease with which you walked upon this earth, the generosity and kindness you showed to people, the devotion with which you cared for…
Words on Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25) Worry is the anxiety we feel that is fostered by uncertainty regarding the future. Jesus spoke these…
Our Response to COVID-19
Dear First Baptist Family and Friends, As you know, this is the time of year when the spread of viruses represents a significant concern for many individuals and families in our community. This year, in particular, these concerns have been increased given the rapid spread influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19 (coronavirus). Out of our responsibility…
Working Sacramental Miracles
“The Kingdom of God deals not only with the immortal soul of mortals, but with their bodies, their nourishment, their homes, their cleanliness, and it makes those who serve these fundamental needs of life veritable ministers of God. Are they not serving the common good? Are they not working sacramental miracles by cooperating with that…
Wave Upon Wave — John 1:16
“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another” (John 1:16, NLT) Thanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity for us to consider the blessings of God that we might ordinarily overlook. When given the opportunity to take inventory, we quickly realize that we are amazed at how much we have received from God,…
Your Table is Ready
I like to try new restaurants, but I’m challenged with a problem you may find relatable. I have chronic order envy. If you’re not familiar with order envy, its basically evaluating my order against the orders made by others in my dinner party and comparing mine to theirs. It seems that I usually wish I…
Block and Tackle
Football season is in full swing. For many, its the most wonderful time of the year. I remember when my son started playing tackle football. One of the key components of practice was The Oklahoma Drill. Football fans and former players alike know the Oklahoma Drill as a measurement of strength on strength. Two players…
Reframing the Narrative
Paul not only found joy in his relationships, Philippians 1:20-30 also informs us that Paul was able to find joy through the acceptance of his circumstances. He was in prison. He wasn’t in denial of this adversity. Rather, he chose to reframe the physical realm into the spiritual realm. How did he do that, and…
Live Stream @ FBCDSM
For the past year, the Tech Team at First Baptist Church has been working to develop a live video stream of our Sunday Morning Worship services. Through the dedicated work of these talented members, we are up and running! The full worship service streams live each week beginning at 10:00 am. Following the live stream,…
Forgiving Versus Excusing
This was the August 29 daily reading from A Year With C.S. Lewis. It was originally published in his book The Weight of Glory. “I find that when I think I am asking God to forgive me I am often in reality (unless I watch my self very carefully) asking Him to do something quite…
Present Tense
Like some children, I grew up afraid of the dark. My strong, depression era dad could not justify the electricity expense for a nightlight, so I was left to sort it out on my own. My mother did help by offering these comforting words: There’s nothing there in the dark that isn’t there in the…
On Liturgical Worship
This was in today’s reading from The Book of Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals. When a song isn’t working for you (during worship), consider praising God, because that probably means it is working for someone else who is very different from you. Offer your worship as a sacrifice rather than requiring others to…
Know Fear
What fears lurk in your heart? Crime? Racial tension? Terrorism? The political landscape? The economy? Failure? Disappointing others? Insignificance? Loneliness? Change? Missed opportunities? Aging? Illness? Dying? Fear is a difficult thing to admit. Often we will use euphemisms like being stressed out or overwhelmed to avoid this confession. Regardless of what you call it, its…
Joy Through Acceptance
Viktor Frankl knew the reality of suffering and deprivation as a prisoner of war in World War 2. His experience in Nazi prison camps enabled him to see life at its worst. Some individuals survived the horrors of those camps, while many did not. Frankl wanted to know why. After studying his fellow prisoners, Frankl…
Joy in Connections
I never get tired of seeing those television news clips or viral videos of deployed soldiers returning home to surprise their families. These gotcha moments occur anywhere from school classrooms to professional sports stadiums. Those stories make me happy, and always bring a smile to my face. But what if it was my son or…
Discovering Joy
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.” — C.S. Lewis I find the concept of joy to be elusive. Not just for me, but for people in our Christian communities. Part of the reason is that we have made joy synonymous with happiness. While that comparison may work in secular culture, it does not work…
