As I write this article the daily news is filled with updates on the fires in Southern California. I have relatives and good friends living there and for more than 25 years it was my home too. Today I’m staying tuned in to the latest developments, focused on my loved ones and praying they are […]
The Apostle Paul used several metaphors to describe the rigor of the Christian life. He likened it to a boxing match (1 Corinthians 9:26), a race (1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:7), a wrestling match (Colossians 1:29–2:1), a soldier who pleases his commander (2 Timothy 2:3, 4), an athlete who plays by the rules (v. […]
“Fight” sounds like a strange command for Christians. Didn’t Jesus say, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9)? Didn’t he tell us to love our enemies? But some fights need to happen. Some causes are too important to ignore. The same Jesus who pronounced blessings on peacemakers also stated that love makes us lay down our […]
“What is your primary leadership role?” I ask this question at the beginning of every Leadership class I teach and generally receive a wide range of responses. Some students point to a supervisory role at work, but more often than not they choose a volunteer leadership role at church, a youth sports league, or community […]
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15, 16). The “Puritan” Standard The stern faces of the Puritans of the 60s were terrifying. (The 1960s not the 1660s.) Is that what “godliness” was? This […]
