3 Dangers in Only Teaching Commands and Virtues

There is something very attractive in teaching people commands (you must do this) and virtues (you must be this type of person). I see the attractive temptation in my own life. On my worst days I just want my kids to behave, and I don’t think much about why they are behaving. On my worst […]

About “Your Truth” and “My Truth”

Words matter. We deploy them to communicate, to capture what we are thinking, feeling, and sensing. Words can build people up or tear people down. Words can divide or they can unite. Leaders know that the leadership axiom “words create worlds” is true, that the words we use in our ministries and organizations create the […]

My 3 Goals in Preaching

In the last decade I have invested a lot of time in public speaking. With employee meetings, plenary sessions, breakouts at conferences, consulting ministry leaders, and speaking on books I have written, I have given hundreds and hundreds of leadership and ministry presentations. I have also preached weekly for the last several years as teaching […]

Church, Believe in Young Leaders

Churches often struggle with empowering younger leaders, with handing significant responsibility to the next generation. Yet the Scripture gives us the sense that a church should believe in young leaders. The apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to “Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, […]

The Heretic Within

History is filled with people who used the Bible to justify their desires and plans. For example, Adolf Hitler once declared, “Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.” Cult leader […]

The Law as a Mirror

I am the proud dad of two little girls, Eden (5) and Evie (3). When Kaye and I were first married, if you would have asked me if I wanted sons or daughters, I would have responded sons. I imagined rough wrestling matches, basketball games, and guy talks. Instead, I play Barbies, enjoy tender pillow […]

Reflecting the Character of God

As a former youth pastor, I learned what makes parents proud. Parents love to hear how their children reflect them . . . He looks so much like you. She has your eyes. She has your intelligence. He has your business savvy. She definitely has your athletic ability. I see you in him every time I […]