I am so sorry. I am listening, and I want to learn. During this unbelievable and astonishing time in our culture, two pictures come to my mind, both from The Chosen series (if you haven’t watched it yet, DO IT!). The first one is from episode 6, when Jesus heals the leper (see Luke 5:12-16). […]
New Testament Hospitality is exampled by the early church in Acts. It is no accident that as the church is born in the book of Acts, hospitality is extended to all peoples, especially to those who are believing, regardless of cultural and religious background. The generosity exhibited as they were together and were “devoted” to […]
New Testament Hospitality is rooted in the mission of Jesus. As Jesus begins his earthly ministry, he steps into the synagogue in Nazareth and reads from Isaiah. The mission statement of Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 ends with “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jipp says that “favor” could be easily translated “welcome” based on […]
Hospitality has been a part of human culture for centuries. “In a number of ancient civilizations, hospitality was viewed as a pillar on which all morality rested.”[1] Wherever there was a path or a trail or a road, there were people journeying. And wherever there were people journeying, there was a need for a good night’s […]
Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro,[a] the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb,[b] the mountain of God. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw […]
"I have kept the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8 May this listing of some of the attributes of God encourage and shape you as they have me. How will we keep them in front of our eyes and minds so they can […]
But My people did not listen to My voice; Israel did not obey Me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans. If only My people would listen to Me and Israel would follow My ways. Psalm 81:11-13 CSB Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he […]
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 CSB Senseless person! […]
For good or for ill, I’m going to put something else out there today. This is the second part of a paper that I had to right on my personal philosophy of ministry (if you desire the first half, I’d be glad to share it with you, just email me). These are practices that I […]
I was struggling. Experiencing the ups and downs of life and ministry, the pressure of finances, the difficulty that juggling work and family brings in the life of every man. I was discouraged. A pastor on the staff I was serving at the time (Thanks, Brent Wood!) shared these with me – 10 things to […]