How Do I Encourage My Pastor?
Never underestimate how meaningful and well-timed it can be when God would so lead you to do so
Maybe the most hurtful words a pastor and his wife can hear are not, “Bad sermon” or “that was a dumb decision” or “I don’t like the way you do that.” Rather, words that imply this message can be the most hurtful, “You are lazy.” Because of this, some of the most encouraging words a... Continue Reading
Pastoral Care Statement to a Congregation
What if you had a brochure, membership class lesson, or church webpage that explained to people the type of pastoral care they could expect to receive when attending your congregation?
Just as sheep (a common Biblical metaphor for Christians) are protected and fed by shepherds, so the people of God are to be watched over and nurtured. The chief Shepherd of the church is the Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 23; John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20), who calls upon spiritual leaders in each generation to care for... Continue Reading
Happiness: A People and a Place
Over the years, God's grace was sufficient for me. He matured me and taught me to love the people and this place.
Last Sunday was our 35th anniversary in the Connecticut church. An elder called my husband and me to the front of the sanctuary after the morning service. As he spoke words of appreciation for our many years of service, I looked out on a congregation of people whom I have learned to love. I could... Continue Reading
Fruition
The gospel of Christ is the Covenant of Grace. The fruition of him as blessedness and reward is ours.
“Covenant puts boots on theology. It grounds biblical theology in history. It situates gospel hope in real life. It strips doctrine of any romantic gaze, and cloaks it in flesh, in substance, in life-giving truth. What water is to a fish and oxygen is to mammals’ lungs God’s covenant is to our spiritual lives.” ... Continue Reading
Sometimes Flight Is the Best Fight
When a desire is awakened in you to indulge in some sin, your best defense is often escape
“Reasoning with an awakened sinful appetite is like reasoning with a devil. It isn’t interested in or compelled by the truth; it is interested in a pleasure being offered. In fact, that appetite will seek to manipulate our reason in order to get the pleasure it seeks. It will twist every reasonable objection and minimize... Continue Reading
The Secret To a Happy Life
Humility is the secret to a happy life. What is humility?
“Scripture does not say the humble person is Mr. Milquetoast, the wishy-washy person, the spineless man who is a doormat for the world; rather, the humble person is one who fears God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and such fear flows from a heart that is in awe of God... Continue Reading
Living in the House of the Lord
When we breathe our last breath, we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever
“Since Adam, there had not been a thoroughly righteous man who had walked on planet Earth. Frankly, there had not even been a mostly righteous man. As God reviewed the records of all his creatures, there was not a holy individual to be found, and this included David, the man after God’s own heart. All... Continue Reading
The ECO’s Core Values: #1 Jesus Shaped Identity
Jesus Christ must be at the center of our lives, and disciple-making at the core of our ministry
“How easy is it to not keep the main thing, the main thing? How easy is it to get so caught up in “doing for the Lord” that we forget to “be with the Lord”? How easy is it to get so caught up doing our 9th annual rummage sale at our church, that we... Continue Reading
The Insatiable Quest for Greatness
The message of the cross is the only thing that can root out the desire for self-aggrandizing greatness
“Whether it was in their arguing about who was greatest immediately after Jesus predicted His death and resurrection in word and sacrament or in Peter’s statement on the Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus revealed who He was and what He came to do or in their seeking to team up with those who excelled in... Continue Reading
It’s Time For Christians To Tell The Truth About Abortion Politics
The pro-life movement was handed a once-in-a-decade moment to change the debate on abortion
“If more people were aware of where the Democratic Party stood on the issue, it might force them to moderate their position. But they are able to maintain their radical view in large part because many Christians, including pastors and religious leaders, refuse to speak freely.” This week the pro-life movement was handed a... Continue Reading
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