In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul calls upon Christians to "pray without ceasing." But what does that mean? I recently got some help from reading the Puritan pastor Ezekiel Hopkins (1633–1690). He observed: "To pray without ceasing is not to be engaged in the duty of...

In volume 2 of Stephen Charnock’s The Existence and Attributes of God, he has an especially moving section on how God’s goodness in redemption exceeds God’s goodness in creation. I share it with you this week in hopes that it will touch your heart and move you to...

This past Sunday I preached on Psalm 73. And in God's good providence, I read some of Richard Sibbes's (1577–1635) remarks on this wonderful Psalm: Carnal reasoning will tell you that God does not see or govern, but has left the earth. But as we go into the presence...

Introduction As I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and contemplate my first decade in ministry, my mind wanders back to the seventeen-year-old version of myself. I’m sitting in a folding chair in Heartland Community Church’s gymnasium listening to Pastor Scott...

Do you ever find that your Bible reading has become stale? Like nothing significant is happening as you’re reading? I have. And I know I’m not alone. In recent months, I’ve shared my Bible reading practices with several people from Crossroads. For what it’s worth,...

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me (Psalm 57:2). When I think about God fulfilling his purpose for me, I naturally drift toward things like material comforts, freedom from inconveniences, and large doses of verbal affirmation....

They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). Read those words from the chief priests once more—slowly: “We have no king but...

I turned forty last Thursday. I know, whoopty do. But I've been contemplating some of the most significant lessons I've learned along the way. And so I wrote them down in no particular order. Here they are: 1. I am a sinner in need of a Savior. 2. Jesus is the only...

Note: A few weeks ago, Pastor Vinnie shared his testimony. In his introduction, he encouraged us to become more vulnerable and open about our struggles. This is my attempt at sharing a glimpse of my story.  My friend Jason and I used to say he was harder to reach than...

Rather than provide you a list of my top ten books of the year, here are my favorite books of 2022 from four different categories---Theological, Devotional, Pastoral, and Recreational. I’ll make a few comments on each one as we go. And I'll apologize in advance for...

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul calls upon Christians to "pray without ceasing." But what does that mean? I recently got some help from reading the Puritan pastor Ezekiel Hopkins (1633–1690). He observed: "To pray without ceasing is not to be engaged in the duty of...

In volume 2 of Stephen Charnock’s The Existence and Attributes of God, he has an especially moving section on how God’s goodness in redemption exceeds God’s goodness in creation. I share it with you this week in hopes that it will touch your heart and move you to...

This past Sunday I preached on Psalm 73. And in God's good providence, I read some of Richard Sibbes's (1577–1635) remarks on this wonderful Psalm: Carnal reasoning will tell you that God does not see or govern, but has left the earth. But as we go into the presence...

Introduction As I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and contemplate my first decade in ministry, my mind wanders back to the seventeen-year-old version of myself. I’m sitting in a folding chair in Heartland Community Church’s gymnasium listening to Pastor Scott...

Do you ever find that your Bible reading has become stale? Like nothing significant is happening as you’re reading? I have. And I know I’m not alone. In recent months, I’ve shared my Bible reading practices with several people from Crossroads. For what it’s worth,...

I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me (Psalm 57:2). When I think about God fulfilling his purpose for me, I naturally drift toward things like material comforts, freedom from inconveniences, and large doses of verbal affirmation....

They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). Read those words from the chief priests once more—slowly: “We have no king but...

I turned forty last Thursday. I know, whoopty do. But I've been contemplating some of the most significant lessons I've learned along the way. And so I wrote them down in no particular order. Here they are: 1. I am a sinner in need of a Savior. 2. Jesus is the only...

Note: A few weeks ago, Pastor Vinnie shared his testimony. In his introduction, he encouraged us to become more vulnerable and open about our struggles. This is my attempt at sharing a glimpse of my story.  My friend Jason and I used to say he was harder to reach than...

Rather than provide you a list of my top ten books of the year, here are my favorite books of 2022 from four different categories---Theological, Devotional, Pastoral, and Recreational. I’ll make a few comments on each one as we go. And I'll apologize in advance for...