Weakness is not touted in our culture. We are taught early on of the importance of strength, performance, and reputation in our society. We learn to hide any and all measure of weakness because it will affect our ability to seem strong. The weight of this can be crushing and your weakness, whether it’s personal …
A Tale of Two Cities
this picture is from NY Mag's Hurricane Sandy Pictures Last week I was able to attend the celebration of Hope For New York’s 20th Anniversary as an organization serving the poor and the marginalized of New York. Hope for New York was started by Redeemer Presbyterian in 1992 at the advice of John Perkins who …
Missional Communities Should Have the Most Fun
My wife loves to tell the soccer ball story. We both remember being around Christian communities growing up and in college that were really intense. They were intense because of a view that Christianity was about being serious because there was a mission at hand and if we “wasted time” having fun, we would miss …
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What will you be known for when you’re 65?
This is the question I’ve been asking myself lately. I tend towards being ambitious and wanting to achieve great things, but after I preach a sermon, counsel someone, or discuss missional communities with another pastor I do some self-analysis about my end goals. My ambition leads me to want to be a great pastor, even …
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Life Cycle of Missional Communities in New Areas
Yesterday, I wrote about the typical life cycle of a missional community within an area where there is an existing gospel presence from the church. The typical group goes through stages of formation, fun, messiness, mission, and multiplication, but if the church is called to extend the gospel of Jesus Christ to areas of their …
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Gospel Enjoyment: You Live for what you Love
How do you order your life? How do you spend your time, money, and emotions? You only live for what you love. Some of us may not think this is true, we could look at our jobs and describe our frustrations, but there are reasons you stay at your job. It could be to support …
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The Source of Gospel Enjoyment
Gospel enjoyment is centering on and celebrating the finished work of Jesus Christ in His life, death and resurrection. Gospel enjoyment recognizes that you only live for what you love, so for the Christian or anyone else for that matter, we must evaluate if we love what is most lovely. The good news of Jesus …
Gospel Enjoyment through Sabbath Rest
We went on vacation for the last 2 weeks and it was the most refreshing vacation we have ever had. All of us have come back refreshed, rejuvenated, and honestly, with a greater love for Jesus and people than when we departed. There was so much that happened from a great time visiting my parents …
The Reactionary Life: In Church
Last week I wrote about my realization that I have been living a reactionary life at home, at work, and at church in a way that has prevented me from enjoying life, enjoying relationships, and pursuing excellence in all areas of my life. I received some good feedback and some questions, so I thought I …
The Reactionary Life: At Work
Last week I wrote about my realization that I have been living a reactionary life at home, at work, and at church in a way that has prevented me from enjoying life, enjoying relationships, and pursuing excellence in all areas of my life. I received some good feedback and some questions, so I thought I …
