I was just reading 1 Samuel, and got to this passage: Saul and his servant were searching for two donkeys from his father’s herd and could not seem to locate them. Saul thinks they had better head home: But [the servant] said to [Saul], “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and... Continue Reading →
My new book. For anyone who does any ministry and who might run into any disappointment!
Am I mistaken, or does the cover look like the Titanic? Gary: Interesting story: the book had its start back in 2012. I was asked to give a conference to missionaries working in Spain. I wanted to address: How do we process disappointment in our ministries? It happened to be the 100th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, and suddenly I... Continue Reading →
Myths that We Christians Accept – my new book, many years in the making!
Ebook from KindlePaperback from Amazon Spanish ebook from KindleSpanish paperback from Amazon or from CLIE The 21st century, that digital arena where information and misinformation battle for our attention! To be sure, the internet can render up solid facts, for instance: “Who won Super Bowl XLVII in 2013?” But the very same medium also lures... Continue Reading →
9Marks of a Healthy Church. Or is it 8Marks and change?
I agree with so much of the 9Marks paradigm. Sound doctrine? Check! Preach the gospel? Right! Biblical preaching? Oh, yeah! Missions? Amen! Baptism? Discipleship? Right on, right on!!No women in leadership? Hold on... You see, they had me, then they lost me. It's not so much that I disagree with them on the point. (Which... Continue Reading →
When “I do not know” is the best answer a Bible teacher can give
There is a subset of Bible teachers who are certain they have all the answers. “The Bible is God’s Truth!" they say. “I preach the Bible!” they say. “Therefore, I have all the answers!” they say. They do not say “I do not know what the Bible says” or "The Bible doesn't speak to this... Continue Reading →
The Error of Hyper-Individualism
Adapted from my new book on the Holy Spirit, available in Spanish, still seeking a publisher for the English version. The full chapter is found on this blog. The forest is haunted by Christian Lone Wolves. I’m a blogger, and so I have a lot of interaction with other people who write blogs. And I’ve... Continue Reading →
“Be slow to speak, swift to hear” applies to all! Yes, pastors too!
James 1:19 applies to laypeople. It also applies to pastors, although some disbelieve it. Or rather, it should apply to pastors even more notably, to give an EXAMPLE to laypeople! Christian counselors? The same. The following is a bit gossipy, but I think justifiable. I was at a diner a couple of months ago. Two... Continue Reading →
Yes, a seminary education helped me!
It is fashionable to criticize seminary training. For example, Peter DeHaan argues that “Seminary delays ministry!” That is, the years you invest in training, are years wasting God’s time. He writes: “If God actually tells you to go to seminary, then go. Otherwise just start serving him and leave the advanced education to the academics.... Continue Reading →
Ambiguous Loss in Missionary Life, by guest poster, Nancy Mauger
This month we have a special treat from a dear friend. We have worked alongside of Nancy and her family since our earliest days on the field. She and her husband Paul provide member care for missionaries who go out from Latin America. It is from that vantage point that Nancy has published an article,... Continue Reading →
If I do God’s will, will I automatically have the feel-goods?
Some of the following material is drawn from my forthcoming book Iceberg Ahead! When God’s Servants Crash into Cold, Hard Reality; it is already available in Spanish from Kerigma. ALONG THE LENGTH OF A BASEBALL BAT, the “sweet spot” is that point from which the ball will recoil and go the farthest distance. The batter... Continue Reading →