The first book I received after my conversion was Loving God by Charles Colson (Zondervan: 1987). My oldest brother gave it to me to fertilize my freshly sown faith. It retains a special place on my shelf as a fantastic introduction (and extension) to the Christian life. Colson is an able story teller who weds truth to experience in unexpected ways (note to pastors: sermon illustrations abound!). Whether or not […]
A brother has recently drawn my attention back to Peterson’s Under the Predictable Plant. Perusing my highlightization resurfaced the following quotes: “Parish glamorization is ecclesiastical pornography – taking photographs (skillfully airbrushed) or drawing pictures of congregations that are without spot or wrinkle, the shapes that a few parishes have for a few short years. These provocatively posed pictures are devoid of personal relationships. The pictures excite a lust for domination, […]
I’m crawling through Dennis Johnson’s new book Him We Proclaim: Preaching Christ from all the Scriptures (P&R, 2007). Perhaps the following quotes will stir your soul as well. (The references to “apostolic” preaching are not a defense of modern apostleship, but how he describes Christ-centered, redemptive-historical preaching.) “Apostolic preaching is no nine-to-five job at which employees put in the required hours and then leave workplace worries behind at day’s end, […]
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Col 3.4). I’ve been a pastor for less than a minute. The following reflections will therefore say more about me than anything else. But in the little time I’ve spent in pastoral ministry there is one thing blatantly obvious about our churches. We don’t talk much about Jesus. We have Jesus in our mission […]
I continue to benefit greatly from Dr. Sam Storms’ ministry. You cannot afford to miss this latest reflection on 2 Cor 4.1. You may have to register to get to it, but it’s well worth it. In case you don’t get to it, here’s a quote to contemplate: If you should ever think that your position in the kingdom of God is a reward rather than a gift, there will […]
Quotes from Peterson’s latest The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus is the Way: “The introduction of ‘faith’ into our language produces a radical and total reorientation from a flat-earth existence, plotted along the monotonous lines of a suburban subdivision [and they are monotonous, aren’t they?], to a multidimensioned ‘on earth as it is in heaven,’ in which God’s presence is the dominant and defining reality with […]
“. . . in no way alarmed by your opponents . . .” (Phil 1.28a) I have a confession to make. I don’t handle opposition well. It knots my stomach and petrifies my spirit. Failure simmers in my heart when the heat of opposition waxes in my life. Often for me, resistance means I must doing something wrong. However, Paul said that the right opposition is proof that we’re doing […]
The Maxwells spent last week on Corpus Christi beach. God spared us from Tropical Storm Erin, but blessed us with Tropical Storm Lidi. You first-time dads know well the moment when this reality hits you: “Wait, I’ve suddenly become my father”? This was our first real family vacation and that’s when it hit me. I was no longer the one frolicking in the sand and surf. I was the one […]
“Pastors enter congregations vocationally in order to embrace the totality of human life in Jesus’ name. We are convinced there is no detail, however unpromising, in people’s lives in which Christ may not work his will. Pastors agree to stay with the people in their communities week in and week out, year in and year out, to proclaim and guide, encourage and instruct as God works his purposes (gloriously, it […]
I write beside my wife who is recovering from a “successful” surgery. The operation went smoothly with no biological complications. Her pain is great now, but we pray it’s worth it in the long run. I will confess, however, this has proven much more difficult for me than expected. There is a tidal wave of feelings, questions, speculations and doubts that leave me awash in creatureliness. Frankly, I feel like […]