In a conversation with a Pharisee who was an expert in the Law of Moses, Jesus was asked which of the commandments was the greatest. Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the…
Month: January 2013
America’s Most and Least Bible-minded Cities
A new report released today by Barna Research ranks America’s Most and Least Bible-minded Cities. Des Moines/Ames, Iowa rests at number 49; right in the middle of the pack. Looking at the list on the infographic provided with the report produced no real surprises. Cities in the deep south rank higher than cities in the…
My New Llama
Thanks to my wonderful wife, my great family and my many friends, I just celebrated the best birthday ever. Over my birthday weekend my wife and I went to dinner with our friends, Dan and Christy. Much to my surprise, they gave me a llama for my birthday. Now some of you have heard me…
Signs a Pastor is Losing His Way
One of the helpful sections of Paul David’s Tripp’s book Dangerous Calling was his insightful list of signs that a Pastor is losing his or her way. Here it is: 1. You ignore clear evidence of problems and are defensive. 2. You become blind to the issues of your own heart. 3. Your ministry lacks…
The Truth About Breakthroughs
Like me, you started out riding a tricycle. Then the day came when you moved up to a two wheeled bike with training wheels. With a little confidence and achieving a bit of balance, the training wheels came off and you rode your bike without the training wheels. Finally, the day came when you received…
Our Identity
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer…
Dangerous Calling
Every now and then you come across a book that stops you in your tracks. My most recent read, Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp is without reservation the best book I read in 2012. Tripp spent the early years of his ministry career in pastoral ministry in the local church. Today he serves the…
Temptations and America’s Favorite Sins
Barna Group has released its newest research on Temptation and America’s Favorite Sins. The article is self explanatory and well worth the read.
Buy In
I’m a book junkie, but unfortunately my 2012 reading habits did not keep pace with my purchases. I keep a stack of purchased but unread books sitting on a shelf in my library. In years past this stack was never more than three or four deep. This year it grew to ten or twelve. I…