Again the anger of YHWH burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” – 2 Samuel 24:1 I guess I am a little obsessed with numbers. I always have been. I like to keep statistics and even majored in accounting in college. Perhaps itContinue reading “More Than Nickels and Noses”
Category Archives: church
God’s Side
When YHWH takes pleasure in anyone’s way, He causes their enemies to make peace with them. – Proverbs 16:7 I’ve always heard, and experience has affirmed, that serving Christ is not a popularity contest. It isn’t. I’ve at times heard, and experience has also affirmed, the difficulty of ministry. Serving the Lord can be difficultContinue reading “God’s Side”
An Early Church Approach
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. – Acts 4:32 There have always been those in church leadership that have trumpeted a call back to the “early church model.” These pundits desire a simple, disorganized, less-bureaucratized,Continue reading “An Early Church Approach”
Navigating Normal Crises
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. – Acts 6:1 Right in the middle of God’s foundational and formational work, in the earliest stages of an amazing movement of God,Continue reading “Navigating Normal Crises”
Revive Us Again?
They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. Even while these people were worshiping YHWH, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did. – 2 Kings 17:40-41 After the Israelites were conquered by the Assyrians, they were deported and scattered amongContinue reading “Revive Us Again?”
Community
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a manContinue reading “Community”
We Must Be One
Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. – Acts 15:10-11 Though not theContinue reading “We Must Be One”
The Temple of God
And now, YHWH, the God of Israel, let Your word that You promised Your servant David come true. “But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!” – 2 Chronicles 6:17-18 Solomon (and almost all those who cameContinue reading “The Temple of God”
We Are The Body
I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, and I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, this is what God the Lord says, who created the heavens and stretched them out, whoContinue reading “We Are The Body”
Recognized As Blessed
Then their offspring will be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples. All who see them will recognize them because they are the offspring whom the Lord has blessed. – Isaiah 61:9 As a pastor, I often had the opportunity to lead the churches that I served through periodsContinue reading “Recognized As Blessed”