There’s an old joke about plagiarism that goes something like this: The first time a person uses a quote, he or she will say, “According to sources.” The second time a person uses that quote, he or she will say, “It has been said.” The third time a person uses the quote, he or she…
Month: July 2012
You Need an Intercessor:: 2
While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did what Moses…
You Need an Intercessor
Who prays for you? Let me rephrase the question. Who do you have in your life that specifically and intentionally makes it their business to pray for you? Do you have a person like that in your life? The church word for such a person is intercessor. An intercessor is one who pleads your case…
Seriously?! Mississippi Church Refuses Wedding Ceremony to African American Couple
Yesterday I stumbled upon three different online articles that shared the story of a Mississippi church that refused to allow an African American couple to marry in their facility. Of the articles, the USA TODAY article contained the most detailed information and can be found HERE. There are two concerns, the most obvious of which…
Des Moines!
The July 2012 issue of Kiplinger’s magazine has named Des Moines as the best city in America for families. Check it out RIGHT HERE! Those of us who proudly live in the 515 say, “I knew that!”
You Need an Outcast:: 3
There are three things you need to know about having dinner with Levi. First, Levi’s take time. They’re a lot of work. Marginalized people take a lot of work. They can’t be fixed with money. They can’t be fixed with a manual. You have to get your hands dirty and walk with them where they…
You Need an Outcast:: 2
In the text cited yesterday from Luke 5, Jesus invited Levi to leave his table for a life of discipleship. It is at that point that we are introduced to a second table. Levi was so happy that Jesus provided him an opportunity to walk away from the margins that he threw a dinner party…
You Need an Outcast
Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of…
You Need a Mentor:: 4
So far this week I’ve written about six qualities that mentors possess based on 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Today I want to finish this series up with the last two characteristics. Quality number seven is that mentors are models. Mentors model behaviors, values, and attitudes to their proteges. “Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching…
Should You Hire Your Friends?
Those of you who are closely associated with me and the ministry at First Baptist Church here in Des Moines know that we’re deep in the weeds of staffing. I stumbled upon this interesting article from The Atlantic about hiring friends and thought you might find it helpful. You can check out Jordan Weissmann’s article…
