Category Archives: Pastoral Ministry
Arsenic and Old Grace
“Hearts die on the medicine of pride.” You’ve been hurt in a battle of relational conflict. Nothing psychotic or violent or anything, but something genuinely awful has happened with another, and now you’re wounded. You turn to friends, to pastors, … Continue reading
Filed under Christian Life, Pastoral Ministry, Uncategorized
How Long is My “Enjoy” List?
Just read an excellent blog post by Ed Welch about what it means to “enjoy” something, or more importantly someone. He gives great advice for marriage and friendship, but I was exhorted by where he went at the end. Enjoy. … Continue reading
Filed under Marriage & Family, Pastoral Ministry
A Word From My Older Brother
Like Oswald Chambers (posted earlier), this honest and humble word from Tullian Tchividjian has been an immense encouragement to me. Hearing this for the first time was like having my older brother sit down and give eyewitness to the power … Continue reading
Filed under Christian Life, Pastoral Ministry
Satan Wants the Church
As we round out into the liturgical year’s “Ordinary Time”, after all the buzz of Christmas, and Lent, and Easter, frustrations with the Church can begin to mount. That annoying couple in the front row, the theological (dead-)hobby-horse of your … Continue reading
Filed under Christian Life, Pastoral Ministry, The Church
Brothers, We are Not Indispensable
Fellow pastor-types, train to be good under-shepherds lest when the Chief Shepherd appears you, or I, hear: “I am against the shepherds. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep … I, I myself will search … Continue reading
Filed under Pastoral Ministry
The Beautifully Brutal Paradox of Life Through Death
“He’s brought me low, so I could know The way to reach the heights To forsake my dreams, my self esteem And give up all my rights With each one that I lay down A jewel’s placed in my crown … Continue reading
Filed under Christian Life, Pastoral Ministry
Sorry Comforters
As I read through Job, I’m surprised to identify so much with Job’s friends. Not that I would say the same things they do, but that I have a tendency — out of a Petrine “not knowing what else to say” … Continue reading
Filed under Pastoral Ministry
Getting the Roots
No one loves pulling weeds, especially not when dad tells you that you have to get the roots too. I’ve found that this is exactly how it is with conflicts. It’s easier to pluck them out at a surface level, … Continue reading
Filed under Pastoral Ministry
Paul’s Counseling
Reading 1 Corinthians 7 today and noticed a couple things about how Paul counseled real people who asked his advice on real questions: 1.) Paul is clear about what is directly from the Lord and what is from his own wisdom … Continue reading
Filed under Pastoral Ministry
