Sunday Night Thoughts…
– Today was insane! I don’t know what the count was, but even the first service felt full! – We turned 7 today! We’re officially a 2nd grader! – I am truly amazed that I get to do what I do. I was watching a guy today at a supermarket that looked depressed at work. I’m so glad that God called me to Pastor this church! – This was a crazy week! Next week should be back to normal! – Made to Stick was a great book! I’ll review it in the next couple of days. – We had hundreds … Read More
Book Review: A Different God?
I am a huge fan of Dwight A. Pryor and his ministry. So when I saw that he had written a book, I ordered it immediately. “A Different God?” was on the subject of replacement theology and supersessionism (which probably isn’t the first topic I’d think to read something on). But the book was good. It was only 25 pages (pamphlet sized). But if you’re interested in the subject, I’d recommend the book to you. If you’ve never been to Dwight’s website, here’s the link. He’s a brilliant thinker and theologian. I have ordered tons of his stuff and I … Read More
Stuff I’ve Learned in Year 7 – Part 2
Sermons Motivate, but Systems Dictate I didn’t want that statement to be true, but it is. It’s why a person watches a testimony about someone who lost weight on a diet and decides to lose weight too, but 3 weeks later is slamming down a box of Twinkies. It’s why teenagers become who they used to be a month after youth camp. It’s why couples say they are going to change but go back to old behavior patterns. It’s not the intention they have. It’s the system they are living in. I didn’t learn until this year the power of … Read More
Book Review: You, Inc.
You, Inc. by Harry and Christine Beckwith was recommended to me and I was a little put off by the title. But by page 2 I was hooked. It’s about 320 pages of practical wisdom in work ethic, managing time, communication, making a good impression, going the extra mile for people, goal setting, appearance, being thankful, and a ton of other stuff. The chapter on how to remember people’s names was worth the price of the book for me. (That’s an area of challenge for me). Here’s a few of my favorite quotes: “The future belongs to the communicators.” “People … Read More
Book Review: Money, Possessions, and Eternity
I loved The Treasure Principle, so I took the challenge of reading Randy Alcorn’s exhaustive work of stewardship: Money, Possessions, and Eternity. This is the most thorough treatment on the subject of stewardship that I have ever read. To me, it is THE definitive work on the subject. I consider myself to be someone who knows something about stewardship and I believe that I am a good stewardship and what God has entrusted to me, but this book really challenged me. This book looks at stewardship from every possible angle and gives some amazing counsel on topics that we need … Read More
Stuff I’ve learned in year 7 – Part 1
This weekend is our 7-year anniversary, and I’ve been thinking about the things that God has shown me this year. Here’s the first one: Talent cannot compensate for a lack of integrity The story of Samson has been rockin’ my world as of late. This was a guy that has extraordinary talents and strengths (literally!). But he lacked integrity. He started with small compromises that eventually led to him losing his strength and trusted position as Israel’s judge. This year we have seen Christian leaders fall in the most heinous of ways. Thinking “That will never happen to me” is … Read More
Why Do Adults Act Like They’re 5 Years Old?
I was picking up lunch today and the lady in front of me had apparently been waiting for a while, but by the time I walked in she was coming unglued waiting for her soup. She was saying, “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting just for a soup!!! What’s the problem?!” This was a grown woman that probably had kids in their early 20’s. Then the 18 year old waitress says, “I’m so sorry. I will get it for you right now.” As she said that, she gave the woman 2 Chocolate Chip Cookies. Once the woman got … Read More
