Fixing Our Hearts on the Word A few years ago, Paul Cain coined the term “making Jesus the magnificent obsession of the heart.” It is indeed an emotive phrase, but I wonder if we can extend it to making the Word of God the magnificent obsession of the heart. Some of the old guard will feel their hackles… Read More »
It’s a noble thing. My friend Roger is being ‘Elderized’ this weekend—and it’s about time too. But just what is eldership about? I’m not sure that Roger is fully aware of the weight, the call, and, in his obvious humility, the difference he will make—but it will be worth it! Paul writes to Timothy, this young leader, this… Read More »
When God Opens the Impossible Peter is in prison. Again. Oops! Herod, driven by power and paranoia, has seized him. James, the brother of John, has already been executed. Peter is next. He’s chained between two guards, locked deep inside the prison, with more guards stationed at every possible escape point. There’s no way out, no options. In… Read More »
The God of the universe is moved by a weeping king facing a wall. This is one of those stories that has encouraged me over the years, mostly because it is so emotive. It’s a simple story of King Hezekiah in Isaiah 38 that’s just raw—raw humanity and vulnerability. Hezekiah, king of Judah, a man who’d seen God… Read More »
Let’s go deep in to the Wilderness… Have you ever been in the wilderness? A few years ago, I visited Mount Sinai and saw first-hand what the wilderness is like—very hot, dry, barren, and with extremely scarce vegetation and rocks, big rocks everywhere. As I looked at the steep, rugged terrain at the foot of the mountain, I… Read More »
Preaching isn’t just about words. It’s about presence—God’s presence. I know where I am going with this, so the answer is… prayer! Not the polite kind, with safe words wrapped up in pretty ribbons. I mean the desperate, interceding, imploring, “OH, God!” tear-streaked kind. The kind that shakes the heavens and makes the angels skid to a halt.… Read More »