Here’s a linked list to the 10 most listened-to online messages I preached in 2011. I’m not surprised at what ranked #1; and my guess it would also be the #1 criticism-generating message of 2011. Frankly, it came in all directions that week (Twitter, FB, … Read More
14 Take-Aways from ER 2
Yesterday I was delighted to attend a simulcast of Elephant Room 2, an event for pastors and leaders sponsored by Harvest Bible Chapel. While this year’s version was, unfortunately, a little tamer, it still yielded healthy discussion and good insights. And here are some of … Read More
2011: Best Of … InkLink
Here’s a quick list of the top-visited InkLinks from 2011. Remember — these weren’t all written in 2011, but they were the most read in 2011. 1. “Wow, God is a Great Farmer!” http://toddstiles.blogspot.com/2008/02/wow-1-gods-great-farmer-isaiah-2823-29.html 2. “An Old Song, Good Friends, and Sweet Memories” http://toddstiles.blogspot.com/2010/12/old-song-good-friends-and-sweet.html 3. … Read More
2011: Best Of … Books
I took some time in the early days of 2012 and compiled a list of the top books I read this past year, what I’m calling my “best of” when it comes to the printed/digitized page. NOTE: Though these links are all to the “purchase” … Read More
“Real-izing” Christmas (2)
One of the ways we “real-ize” (yes, that is an intentional hypen) Christmas is through gifts. It’s how we express love tangibly. Yes, physical gifts are a good way to bring meaning to the words we say at Christmas. In fact, one Christmas Julie gave … Read More
“Real-izing” Christmas (1)
Christmas, at least in America, is a time of great imagination. From flying reindeer to a fat man down a chimney to the magic of mistletoe…it’s a season of make believe. Movies like The Polar Express, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Miracle on 34th Street all … Read More
36 Christmas Day Services
Every time Christmas falls on a Sunday, it seems there is an increase in the conversation about when to hold church services. For some reason, we question our normal operating procedure when the annual “big day” falls squarely on our weekly “big day.” Don’t read … Read More
Christmas Hope
Hope. Even the sound of it rings with promise and expectation. And it’s especially vibrant at Christmas. Webster’s definition of hope, based on their online dictionary, is “to cherish or desire with anticipation.” Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that definition. In fact, this kind … Read More
The Gift of Simplicity
Smartphones, with all their flash, features, and advantages, have created dumb people. Yep, I’m one. It seems I have become so dependent on these devices to remember my details that I sometimes can’t even recall my parent’s home phone number. See what I mean? A … Read More
Taking the Escalator Down
Few prophets describe humility better than Micah. In the last part of chapter 2, he essentially says… 1. Humble people submit to God’s provision as their Shepherd (2:12). They enjoy his role as supplier, and gladly say, “He takes care of me.” 2. Humble people … Read More