I have always loved the hymn Now Thank We All Our God, which I have included below.Here is its story... In the 17th century, prolonged war caused a large influx of refugees intoEilenburg, Germany. Disease, famine and death were rampant. The only survivingpastor in the city, Martin Rinkart, performed about 50 funerals a day, includinghisContinue reading "Give Thanks in All Circumstances … Testing the Limits!"
Gratitude it is!
The parent of all virtues is gratitude. The happiest people in the world are the ones who are the most grateful.I'm into lists. Try this. Get a piece of paper and write down 100 things for which you are grateful. It won't take you long. At least it shouldn't.Because I talk with pastors all day,Continue reading "Gratitude it is!"
It is sheer grace or it is nothing at all!
I took this on the Sea of Galilee (July 2010)The most incredible story is found in Luke 5:1-11. Jesus chose Peter to be his disciple, and Peter left his fishing business and followed him.But here's what precipitated that, at least in part, in my opinion. First, a bit of context. Jesus spoke to a crowdContinue reading "It is sheer grace or it is nothing at all!"
How Jesus resisted temptation
Very simply, he spoke the Word of God directly to Satan ... all from the book of Deuteronomy. With his third temptation while Jesus was still in the desert enduring a 40-day fast, Satan quoted Psalm 91, assuring Jesus God would protect Him.In effect, Satan said Jesus had no worries, should he give in toContinue reading "How Jesus resisted temptation"
3 things we must hear
When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River a voice boomed from heaven telling him the 3 most important things a person can ever hear.1. "You are my son... "2. "Whom I love... "3. "With you I am well pleased... "... Luke 3:22 I am a proponent of daily devotions, or daily quiet time, orContinue reading "3 things we must hear"
Hearing perfectly
John the Baptist heard the Lord perfectly. Luke 3 describes the precision of John's hearing. "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar -- when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene -- during the high priesthood ofContinue reading "Hearing perfectly"
What’s a pastor to do?
Last week I spent the week in Wisconsin with about 100 pastors. I listened and coached and asked questions. About mid-week one pastor in the group I was leading asked: "What's the very best thing we can do for our congregations?"I immediately thought of the answer of Pastor John Piippo from Monroe, Michigan."Abide in Christ." Continue reading "What’s a pastor to do?"
You don’t have to know what everything means
The third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, he was standing on the beach of the Sea of Galilee at dawn. The disciples had gone out to fish but had caught nothing. Jesus called out from the shore, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, andContinue reading "You don’t have to know what everything means"
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