Eight Ways to Improve Sunday Morning Church

Have you ever been dissatisfied with how you engage with church on Sunday mornings? Here are eight suggestions (followed by three bonus suggestions) that I’m confident will markedly improve your time at Sunday morning church.[1] On Sunday morning, pray for a few minutes in your heart before you depart for church. Ask God to give … Continue reading Eight Ways to Improve Sunday Morning Church

14 Problems with Humility

There are multiple problems with humility. Here are 14, in no particular order: Problem #1: Humility is difficult to write and talk about because the moment someone starts talking (or writing…) about the need for humility, that person’s own pride begins to appear—like I’m facing right now as I write. I wonder if this is … Continue reading 14 Problems with Humility

What Does “I Can Do All Things through Christ who Strengthens Me” Mean? (Philippians 4:13)

It is one of the best-known verses in the Bible. It appears on wall art, bumper stickers, social media profiles, and even tattoos. But we usually misinterpret it. Philippians 4:13 is not about personal empowerment. It is not a promise that you can become anything you want when you grow up if you want it … Continue reading What Does “I Can Do All Things through Christ who Strengthens Me” Mean? (Philippians 4:13)

Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation

I just finished reading Collin Hansen’s book, Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation. Keller went to be with the Lord on May 19, as many of you know. Hansen’s book about Tim Keller was released only a couple months prior to Keller’s passing. I appreciated this book and received extra benefit from it because … Continue reading Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation

One Way Christians Can Prepare for the Onslaught of Artificial Intelligence

Did you hear what happened to Erica Marsh, the rage-baiting leftist political commentator who had 130,000 followers on Twitter? The answer is nothing, since Erica Marsh probably never existed, and her Twitter account was likely faked. Prepare yourself. With the proliferation of AI (Artificial Intelligence), you’re going to hear a lot more stories about fake … Continue reading One Way Christians Can Prepare for the Onslaught of Artificial Intelligence

Should a Church Sing (American) Patriotic Songs During Its Worship Services?

I was serving as a part-time worship pastor in a church in one of New York City’s suburbs when the attacks of September 11, 2001 were launched. Soon after the attacks, a small contingent of vocal church members began to demand that we start to sing American patriotic songs during our worship services. That suggestion … Continue reading Should a Church Sing (American) Patriotic Songs During Its Worship Services?

Pray Like Polycarp

I was scheduled for part two of a root canal. (Woo hoo!) I realized I needed a better strategy entering round two than I had going into round one. I needed to be prepared to manage more than two hours of needles, whirling machines, grinding teeth (my teeth!), and a gag reflex akin to drowning. … Continue reading Pray Like Polycarp

What is Over-Realized Eschatology? What’s the Problem with it?

Over-realized eschatology is the assumption that all or most of what God has prepared for his people in the future can be experienced by God’s people in the present. Let’s break down this expression word-by-word. What is eschatology? Eschatology is the study of last things, that is, the end times. What is realized eschatology? Realized … Continue reading What is Over-Realized Eschatology? What’s the Problem with it?

Is the Christian Life Primarily Intense or Primarily Relaxed?

Should the Christian life primarily be viewed as intense (focused, passionate), or primarily as relaxed (peaceful, trusting)? Trudi and I regularly invite college students to our house for dinner, and this was the question we discussed during a recent dinner. As we conversed, students at the table brought up a variety of Scriptures, some of … Continue reading Is the Christian Life Primarily Intense or Primarily Relaxed?

One Day of Walking in the Spirit

What does it practically look like to walk in the Spirit? There is a short passage in my book, Walking in the Spirit, in which I try to imagine walking through a normal day in the Spirit. Since people often refer to this section of the book, I’ve decided to share it with you today. … Continue reading One Day of Walking in the Spirit