Inconveniences are actually opportunities in disguise. Such was the case this past Saturday night into most of the day Sunday. Ankeny, the city where I live, received 10 inches of rain in just 3 hours on Saturday evening. Talk about a deluge. In fact, a … Read More
The Real Issue
When it comes to personal change, as well as change in others, much of the frustration we experience stems from the fact that too often we’re trying to change actions on the outside, when God wants to change hearts on the inside. This is why … Read More
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Joshuas
A great leader and strategist of his day, Joshua was truly a man used by God to impact a whole nation. Chosen by the Lord to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua refused to shrink back from challenge after challenge, ultimately entering, conquering, … Read More
The Motive That Matters Most
Motives matter. And the highest motive—love—matters most. This isn’t news to most of us, but it is sometimes unintentionally forgotten in the world of busy ministry, constant comparison, self-promotion, and celebrity-focused church life. If you’ve ever wondered, specifically regarding ministry, what’s love got to do … Read More
Consumeristic Followers vs. Catalytic Leaders: Six Differences
With so much at stake in ministry of the new millennium, it is not enough to create a mass following of onlookers who stare. We must develop a committed core of radical leaders who serve. Our goal must be the training of people to be … Read More
Birthday Theology
When it comes to being born, I had nothing to do with it. It was all a work of my parents. Simply put, by their own willful actions and desires, I was born. Funny how birthdays, though, rarely celebrate the people truly responsible for the … Read More
Is Sarcasm Always Wrong?
Sarcasm. It’s a cultural icon today. From Hollywood to Washington, on TV and radio, sarcasm seems to rule the day. Unfortunately, the church has followed suit. Instead of defending apologetically, explaining logically, reasoning morally, conversing factually, or supporting theologically, we too often resort to mocking … Read More
Caring Beyond the Launch
When Apollo 11 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 16, 1969, the many staff in Houston knew the work wasn’t over. Though there were cheers and applause as the rocket left the pad, the job of seeing the crew land on the … Read More
The Cross, the Tomb, and the Throne
There’s no doubt that the cross is the centerpiece of God’s glory. Because of the crucifixion, sin can’t condemn us! Romans 8:1 confirms that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 5:2 shouts, “Through him we have also … Read More
Looking Back: 2017’s Top 10 Posts
With new readers signing up regularly, perhaps a look back at the top posts from 2017 will give them, as well as our existing readers, an opportunity to review once again this year’s most-clicked posts. We Were Multiplying (And I Didn’t Even Know It) A … Read More