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9 Tips for Giving a Retreat Talk
Earlier this year my former church asked me to come back to speak at their men’s retreat. When they first asked, I was stoked about it. But as the summer went on, stoked turned into scared. I’d never...
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Pastoral Transplant Criteria
“How much does it pay?” asks the would-be pastor during the interview. This could be a good question, but can we agree that if this is the only question the would-be pastor is asking, then he is not...
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Thank God for Spiritual Grandfathers
A few months ago, Tim Challies wrote a post called, “Amusing 1-Star Reviews of Great Books.” After a short introduction, Challies “cut and pasted” a few dozen 1-star reviews of some of his favorite...
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The Gospel in 140 Characters
In the Church we use the word “gospel” all the time. We talk about gospel services, gospel preaching, gospel truth, gospel songs. We speak about "The Gospels" as specific books in the Bible, and we...
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Blogging For God's Glory
Are you considering starting a blog but don’t know where to begin? Or have you set up a blog but rarely use it? If so, I’d love to help. I know there are tons of blogs already, and you may wonder if...
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When Should a Pastor Address a Current Event?
In May of 2012, for the very first time, a sitting American President publicly and favorably addressed same-sex marriage. I didn’t mention this historic event in church the very next Sunday, or any...
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Jumping the Shark and the Trajectory of Sin
A few years ago a radio personality coined the phrase “jumping the shark.” The genesis of the phrase comes from an episode in the 70's television show Happy Days. While waterskiing in his leather...
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Making the Faith Your Own is Not Making Up Your Own Faith
A pastor told me how encouraged he is when former students return years later to tell him how they’ve “made the faith their own.” It’s a phrase he often used to encourage students, especially those...
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Pastor, Don’t Interview like Michael Scott
In one episode of The Office, branch manager Michael Scott interviewed for a role at the corporate offices in New York. David Wallace, president of Dunder Mifflin, asked Michael, “What do you think are...
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Run Like the Wind from Sexual Sin
If you genuinely believe sexual sin is wrong and it keeps you from experiencing joy in God, then what? Then run from sexual sin like you’re being chased by a lion. Paul tells the Christians in...
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When Self-Preservation Becomes Our God
If you watch any television at all, you’ve probably noticed that nearly every set of commercials includes one selling a vehicle. Car commercials tend to be predictable. They emphasize style (how the...
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