The country road in front of my house begs for any power-stroked truck to manifest its prowess in an ever-increasing, swift, thunderous, exhaust smoke-billowing fashion!
Power! When needed to winch-out another vehicle stuck in the mud, a 2023 Ram 2500 truck with 410 horsepower would get the job done! Indeed, power to burn!
Continue reading “Power to Burn!”
The church auditorium was 3/4 empty on Sunday . . . . Christ is enough.
The church auditorium was packed to overflow . . . . Christ is enough.
Sunday’s sermon was a failure . . . . Christ is enough.
Sunday’s sermon was theologically, exegetically, practically sound . . . . Christ is enough.
Continue reading “Contentment On the Mountain and In the Valley”
“How have you seen God at work in your life today?”
This is a question that I’ve posed to many believers over the years. The goal is not to put anyone on-the-spot but simply to acknowledge that God is always at work around us inviting us to join Him in His work (John 15:5). Watching God at work as well as joining Him in His work at His invitation is an adventure (John 14:21; Hebrews 12)!
As God works, it is always in unison with His character, His names and His word.
Continue reading “Pastor, What Do You See?”
Mondays are usually a day of reflection for pastors as we rehearse the many conversations from Sunday, the “things I said” and “the things I wish I had said” in the message, that empty pew that once was a faithful church member, the forgotten prayer request, that miscommunication, feeling like a failure, the church conflict that continues on, etc.
At times like these, you need encouragement to keep on keeping on. If you haven’t already, read the previous posts and today ponder #4.
2. Bask in the presence of God
4. Let it drive you to your knees.
Difficult times in ministry is the clarion call for you to have a correct view of your God. Trouble can quickly lead you to be despairing, fearful, hurt, doubting, and wanting to flee. Hard times can tempt you to become idolatrous as you fix your heart on the people, circumstances, misunderstandings, conflicts, etc.
Continue reading “What’s Your Viewpoint In Ministry Conflict?”
When trouble comes in ministry, and it will, you will feel all alone, even in the midst of many people as well as in the quietness of your study. In those moments, hours, days, will you consider the previous two posts and key in on today’s word of encouragement?
2. Bask in the presence of God
3. You are not alone.
For all of us whom God has privileged to serve in His ministry, we all have experienced difficult days, are in a hard time, or will be in the future.
Consider the company you keep:
Continue reading “Sharing In Suffering”
Yes, there are times when ministry is difficult, perplexing, overwhelming, stressful, load-bearing, harsh, and/or near-to-the-breaking-point! May I encourage you?
2. Bask in the presence of God.
To bask in something is to “take it all in, to receive its warmth, or bathe in its goodness” (Oxford Languages). Liza Jane, the cat that inhabited our home for many years, knew what it was to bask in the sunshine. Being an indoor cat, she often would begin her day in the east bedroom of our home curled up “receiving the warmth” of the sun. By afternoon, she was taking her 16th nap stretched out in the southwest bedroom “bathing in the goodness” of the sun.
Difficult times in ministry, if we permit it, can make us cold and bitter to the Lord, our wife, our children, our friends, and especially toward the congregation. Before hard times come, and they will, we should be know well what it means to bask in the presence of God, the abiding life in Christ (John 15:1-11).
Continue reading “Take It All In When Ministry is Hard”
Even though a new year has begun and resolutions have been made, you are either in a hard season of ministry, coming out of one, or on the verge of going into one. Truth is, ministry at times is hard, painful, difficult, and wearisome. Need some words of encouragement?
1. You will make it.
Yes, there are times when you wonder if you can even take the next step, preach another sermon, pray, sing, parent, lead, work, etc. You are so tempted to quit; turn in your resignation; head into the pit of despondency. Look over your shoulder. By the mercy, goodness and grace of God you have come this far.
Continue reading “Truths To Encourage When Ministry Is Hard”
Yesterday, I preached my final sermon as the lead pastor of Boones Creek Bible Church. I’ve served in this role for the past 23 years, more than half of my 40 year tenure as a lead pastor.
What led me to this day?
Continue reading “A First After 40 Years”
Pastor friend, what would it take for you to be really happy and satisfied where you currently serve?
If you had it, would you still be happy and satisfied in a few days ? Next week? Next month? In a year?
For the most part, we pastors are never satisfied. Before I go any further, I understand the desire to see more souls saved and discipled for the glory of God. What I’m talking about is a lack of contentment in ministry that is more centered on circumstances, goals, etc. Such as . . .
Continue reading “Seven Considerations for Contentment in Ministry”
I noticed her beauty as soon as I walked through the doors. There she was in her attractive, genuine regalia. Oh, there are times she doesn’t look so good, but overall, she is and was absolutely radiant! And this was one of those many times!
Who?
Continue reading “Wednesday Wow: She’s Beautiful!”
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