If you are a Christian reading this, what are you known for? Imagine that people evaluate your life to answer the question, “What are two of the most important Christian principles for living?” What principles would they land on? What principles should define Christians? There are many good possibilities. In this post I share twoContinue reading “Christian, what are the top two principles that define your life? – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 4”
Tag Archives: Apostle Paul
Is three weeks enough time to start a church? – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 2
Paul is very troubled about the Christians in Thessalonica. Why? Two reasons: too little time and too much pressure. First, time. He was only with them for about three weeks. That is such a short amount of time. How could they possibly learn to be followers of Jesus in three weeks? I’ll grant you thatContinue reading “Is three weeks enough time to start a church? – 1 Thessalonians 1:1–3, Part 2”
Evaluating YOLO, FOMO, and Bucket Lists – Advent Joy, Part 5
You know the acronyms YOLO and FOMO? “You only live once,” and “fear of missing out.” Those phrases describe a passion to have amazing experiences. As we have been studying the Apostle Paul’s perspective on his incarceration in Philippians 1, it almost sounds like he is using a version of YOLO or FOMO. But isContinue reading “Evaluating YOLO, FOMO, and Bucket Lists – Advent Joy, Part 5”
Super-sizing God, even in prison – Advent Joy, Part 4
In the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time in prison. In 2023 a man from my church was incarcerated, and I visited him weekly. As a result, my church joined the rotation of churches leading worship services for inmates at the prison. Our team leads worship about once per month. Our countyContinue reading “Super-sizing God, even in prison – Advent Joy, Part 4”
It can be very difficult to have joy sometimes – Advent Joy, Part 1
The year is circa 55CE, approximately 20 years after Jesus resurrected and ascended to heaven. A man named Paul is driving the outward expansion of the Christian church into the Roman Empire. In Acts 16, we read that he arrives in the city of Philippi, which is an archaeological site in modern-day Greece. In Paul’sContinue reading “It can be very difficult to have joy sometimes – Advent Joy, Part 1”
Peace is so much more than a greeting – Advent Peace, Part 4
A man in my congregation, rather than waving or saying “Hi,” makes the peace sign with his fingers. When we drive by each other in the community, out comes his peace sign. Why? Because we English-speakers sometimes use the word peace as a greeting. It was common in the 1960s when people would say, “Peace,Continue reading “Peace is so much more than a greeting – Advent Peace, Part 4”
How to study scripture like the first Christians – Studying scripture together, Part 5
As we think about studying scripture together, I want to point out an interesting episode in the early church that occurs during one of Paul’s mission trips. In Acts 17:10-12, we learn that, “As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the JewishContinue reading “How to study scripture like the first Christians – Studying scripture together, Part 5”
The problem with contemporary worship services – Study Scripture together, Part 4
The first Christians demonstrated communal Bible study. In Acts 2:42-47, the very first description of the very first church, we learn that the church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching. We read that they were together. The met in the temple courts and in homes. Add up those statements, and we can see how theContinue reading “The problem with contemporary worship services – Study Scripture together, Part 4”
How avoiding the “shoulds,” tapping in to the Spirit, and listening help us become the kind of people who…speak life to one another, Part 5
This week I welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor, having served 30+ years in both local churches with his wife, Debbie, and in denominational administration. He has also taught theology and led a pastoral assessment center for many years. He and Debbie, along with their two daughters and son-in-law are membersContinue reading “How avoiding the “shoulds,” tapping in to the Spirit, and listening help us become the kind of people who…speak life to one another, Part 5″
Pastor, that’s the dumbest thing you ever said – Speaking life to each other, Part 4
This week I welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor, having served 30+ years in both local churches with his wife, Debbie, and in denominational administration. He has also taught theology and led a pastoral assessment center for many years. He and Debbie, along with their two daughters and son-in-law are membersContinue reading “Pastor, that’s the dumbest thing you ever said – Speaking life to each other, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 