The hymn “Amazing Grace” was written by John Newton, and it was a response to goodness of God’s grace on a man who recognized he was not worthy of God’s mercy and grace. John Newton’s mother was a Puritan and a godly woman, however, she died when he was just 7 years old. John raised...

We have all had the conversation with someone that begins, “well, what do you want first? The good news or bad news?” I generally respond ‘give me the bad’ and in my sermon prep this week I observed the same about the verse we will use for our message First the bad news, then the...

For most of us, tests are not something we really care for, and for many, we would rather avoid a test rather than to take a test. And this is especially true when we are unprepared for the test. The same can apply to temptation, and although most would rather avoid temptation, we simply cannot...

When we moved to Minneapolis for seminary I recall very clearly how much I dreaded driving in the Cities. This was years before we had Google maps and a soothing voice telling you exactly what to do several blocks in advance of doing it, so it was not uncommon for me to be driving along...

“God, why?” I think we’ve all asked that question before. We each go through heartbreak, and hardship. Suffering is a part of our human experience, and it leaves us with many questions. It’s my hope that through this message, you’ll discover God’s purpose through allowing suffering in our lives, and the hope we can cling...

Do you like to win? For this very reason, there was a time when Gloria and I refused to play with our first born son, Eli. I know, you are probably thinking what horrible parents, how could they be so mean as to deprive their eldest child interaction with his parents, and so forth. But...

We live in troubling and divisive times, and in the midst of such times it is easy for anxiousness and worry to replace confidence and peace. As much as we want to think that all of this is unique with us, it is not. In fact, we have so many models from the Scriptures of...

“Who made God?” “How does the Holy Spirit live in me?” “If God is so strong, why doesn’t He just smash Satan?” “If God said it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone, why didn’t He make Himself a wife too?” These are all great questions, often postured by children to parents and pastors, and...

Psalm 118:24 is a verse I draw upon often: “This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Whether the day or season you are in is ‘awesome’ or ‘awful’, each day is a new day in the Lord, and He calls us to rejoice in the...

“Pastors cry…” We don’t necessarily want to admit this, but it is a reality that is occurring with increased frequency in so many of our lives. This COVID season has been exceptionally difficult on all, but I believe even more so for pastors as they attempt to navigate the treacherous waters of ministry and spiritual...