Posts
Merry ChristMESS.
So the day has come, and nearly gone, and though you had dreams of picture perfect scenes of warmth and gentleness, once again, things haven’t quite panned out that way.
Mary Christmas! (or, "We're All Pregnant!")
OK, so chances are you’ve heard this story before, but just in case here’s the Twitter-ized version in 140 characters: Engaged teenage virgin gets visit from angel, told she is
God Doesn’t Bless America
God doesn’t bless America. No, this isn’t the very kind of inflammatory, fear-fueled message that lots of pastors like to propagate. It’s not some doom and gloom, sky-is-falling, bullhorn warning that God
Newtown, Mike Huckabee, James Dobson, and A Pastor’s Apology
I am a Christian. I am a pastor. I am a father. As all three of these things, I apologize to the world (and to the victims of the Sandy
3 Questionable Christian Social Media Responses to Newtown
In the immediate wake of the Newtown tragedy; one that the mind cannot really grasp or understand, social media has of course, been the place for people to vent, process
When GOD Interrupts Facebook: A Morality Discussion
Yesterday on a friend’s Facebook wall, there was a Christmas conversation, regarding Jesus Vs. Santa, (an epic smackdown for the ages, which I will leave for another day). As the discussion
Blessing Hoarders and The Grace Police
Have you ever noticed that many Christians, who say they are living under Grace, (a beautiful, free gift they could never possibly earn or deserve), waste so much time and energy
Blessed Boredom: Teenagers And The Church
I sometimes have students, (or their parents on their behalf), tell me that they’re bored with church, and they don’t want to come anymore. They express how youth group, or
The Present and The Promise
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 Many of us who have spent time in church, know well
Welcoming "Those People": Embracing Messy Diversity
“For God so loved THE WORLD that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 There is no difference, for ALL
Booger Ministry
Have you ever been going through your day, feeling pretty good about yourself, and all of a sudden, you see your reflection in the mirror and you realize that something
Having The Faith To Fail
Yesterday, a friend of mine forwarded this blog post, by a well known pastor whom I respect greatly. It posed the question, “What would you be willing to attempt for God
Confessions of An Unapologetically Judgmental Christian
Hi, I’m John and according to many, I’m judgmental. And you know what? I have a confession… I completely agree. In fact, I love being called judgmental. I adore it when
Perishable Compassion
Ah, Amendment One, I remember it all like it was yesterday. (Oh, right…) Barely one day removed from the torrential flood on social media; so filled with grand rhetoric, vehement
Parents of Teenagers: You Do The Math.
Parents, let’s be clear: You have the absolute toughest job in the world… period. I know well, that you labor every day in some of the most adverse conditions on
Are You Just "Singing 'Watermelon' "?
This past weekend, I was talking with some musicians who serve at our church, about the difficulties of playing regularly in front of large groups of people, especially when you forget your parts up there. We
Rise of the "Hermit Hams".
Ever since I began doing ministry nearly a decade and a half ago, I’ve wrestled with an ever-present tension; one that has always made me feel kinda lousy, being a
The One Question Most Leaders Never Ask
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 “How’m I doin’?” That was the famous question that one-time New York City Mayor Ed Koch would
New Churches, More Starbucks And A Hole In My Head
Does America need more churches? Think about that for a second. When you drive through the streets where you live, and survey the landscape, do you ever think to yourself,
The Blessing of “I Don’t Know”
Psst. I’ll let you in on a little-known ministry secret: When it comes to matters of faith—all pastors lie. They don’t want to, but they do. Here’s the deal: Most
Getting Out Of The Middle
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and
The Lost Children of Suburbia
I write this message tonight from the mission field. Conditions here are rough. The climate is hostile, the environment is spiritually dead, and the people are hard-hearted. Every day I
This Preacher Ain't Packin' (My God and Your Guns)
I don’t understand Christians who love guns. I don’t mean Christians who own guns or use guns or even like guns, but those who champion them, glorify them, flaunt them, cheerlead for
Jesus Needs A Rock Show
Last night I attended a concert by one of the biggest worship bands on the planet. They had a tour stop in a local church not far from here. I
Merry ChristMESS.
So the day has come, and nearly gone, and though you had dreams of picture perfect scenes of warmth and gentleness, once again, things haven’t quite panned out that way.
Mary Christmas! (or, "We're All Pregnant!")
OK, so chances are you’ve heard this story before, but just in case here’s the Twitter-ized version in 140 characters: Engaged teenage virgin gets visit from angel, told she is
God Doesn’t Bless America
God doesn’t bless America. No, this isn’t the very kind of inflammatory, fear-fueled message that lots of pastors like to propagate. It’s not some doom and gloom, sky-is-falling, bullhorn warning that God
Newtown, Mike Huckabee, James Dobson, and A Pastor’s Apology
I am a Christian. I am a pastor. I am a father. As all three of these things, I apologize to the world (and to the victims of the Sandy
3 Questionable Christian Social Media Responses to Newtown
In the immediate wake of the Newtown tragedy; one that the mind cannot really grasp or understand, social media has of course, been the place for people to vent, process
When GOD Interrupts Facebook: A Morality Discussion
Yesterday on a friend’s Facebook wall, there was a Christmas conversation, regarding Jesus Vs. Santa, (an epic smackdown for the ages, which I will leave for another day). As the discussion
Blessing Hoarders and The Grace Police
Have you ever noticed that many Christians, who say they are living under Grace, (a beautiful, free gift they could never possibly earn or deserve), waste so much time and energy
Blessed Boredom: Teenagers And The Church
I sometimes have students, (or their parents on their behalf), tell me that they’re bored with church, and they don’t want to come anymore. They express how youth group, or
The Present and The Promise
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 Many of us who have spent time in church, know well
Welcoming "Those People": Embracing Messy Diversity
“For God so loved THE WORLD that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 There is no difference, for ALL
Booger Ministry
Have you ever been going through your day, feeling pretty good about yourself, and all of a sudden, you see your reflection in the mirror and you realize that something
Having The Faith To Fail
Yesterday, a friend of mine forwarded this blog post, by a well known pastor whom I respect greatly. It posed the question, “What would you be willing to attempt for God
Confessions of An Unapologetically Judgmental Christian
Hi, I’m John and according to many, I’m judgmental. And you know what? I have a confession… I completely agree. In fact, I love being called judgmental. I adore it when
Perishable Compassion
Ah, Amendment One, I remember it all like it was yesterday. (Oh, right…) Barely one day removed from the torrential flood on social media; so filled with grand rhetoric, vehement
Parents of Teenagers: You Do The Math.
Parents, let’s be clear: You have the absolute toughest job in the world… period. I know well, that you labor every day in some of the most adverse conditions on
Are You Just "Singing 'Watermelon' "?
This past weekend, I was talking with some musicians who serve at our church, about the difficulties of playing regularly in front of large groups of people, especially when you forget your parts up there. We
Rise of the "Hermit Hams".
Ever since I began doing ministry nearly a decade and a half ago, I’ve wrestled with an ever-present tension; one that has always made me feel kinda lousy, being a
The One Question Most Leaders Never Ask
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 “How’m I doin’?” That was the famous question that one-time New York City Mayor Ed Koch would
New Churches, More Starbucks And A Hole In My Head
Does America need more churches? Think about that for a second. When you drive through the streets where you live, and survey the landscape, do you ever think to yourself,
The Blessing of “I Don’t Know”
Psst. I’ll let you in on a little-known ministry secret: When it comes to matters of faith—all pastors lie. They don’t want to, but they do. Here’s the deal: Most
Getting Out Of The Middle
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We believe and
The Lost Children of Suburbia
I write this message tonight from the mission field. Conditions here are rough. The climate is hostile, the environment is spiritually dead, and the people are hard-hearted. Every day I
This Preacher Ain't Packin' (My God and Your Guns)
I don’t understand Christians who love guns. I don’t mean Christians who own guns or use guns or even like guns, but those who champion them, glorify them, flaunt them, cheerlead for
Jesus Needs A Rock Show
Last night I attended a concert by one of the biggest worship bands on the planet. They had a tour stop in a local church not far from here. I