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Weekend Recap – 2 Ways To Relate To God

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My sermon from 8/26/12AM entitled Relating To God from Hebrews 12:18-24 is now online.  The sermon exposed the ways we try to relate to God but, in the end, showed that only relating to God through Christ is the path that allows us to face God, the judge of all, with confidence.  Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.  This also was an amazing lead in to the Lord’s Supper and Jesus’ blood of the covenant.  It was an amazing Lord’s Day.

The morning, coupled with Jerry Bridges’ chapter “I am a new creation” (Who Am I? chapter 5) helped show the glorious realities that are ours in the Gospel.  I hope you had a great Lord’s day reveling in truths like these.

Leadership Lesson: Manage Self, Self-Control & GI Joe

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Here’s my email to leaders in Reno County this past Monday:

Call me a geeky 80’s kid, but I grew up watching the cartoon G.I. Joe.  It seemed in every episode, there would be a lesson of some sort and the conclusion would be: “Now you know and knowing is half the battle.”  This is certainly true for those of us who step into leadership.  One of the KLC’s Leadership Principles is that “IT STARTS WITH YOU…and must engage others.”  Leadership begins when we make a conscious choice within ourselves.  We know that managing self is an important component but that is just half the battle.  Training ourselves to exercise self-control in leadership situations is where the rubber meets the road. 
For the past two weeks, I’ve written to you about taking care of yourself and I’ve done this intentionally.  I haven’t done it to breed some morbid self-interest, getting you to look in the mirror and say, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all,” expecting us to say we are the fairest.  No.  I’ve done it because our acts of leadership begin in us.  We must manage self.  We must exercise some self-control and knowing our strengths, vulnerabilities and triggers, choose among all the competing values to intervene.  We step in to act.  We want this to be more and more strategic and skillful each and every time we act in leadership.  We have to experiment beyond our comfort zone.  We have to increase our tolerance for uncertainty and conflict.  This is what it means to be a leader.
Today, then, manage self by exercising some good self-control.  Assess yourself.  And see if managing self doesn’t help you make progress on the issues you care about so deeply.

Tweets from Revelation 10

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In late May, I began 202 days of journaling through the 404 verses of the final book of the Bible, Revelation.  To go along with my personal study and preparation to preach through this book in 2013, I’m trying to tweet something from every verse.  Today I finished chapter 10.  Here’s a compilation of my tweets followed by the reference.

Revelation 1 | Revelation 2 | Revelation 3 | Revelation 4 | Revelation 5 | Revelation 6 | Revelation 7 | Revelation 8 | Revelation 9

God’s announcement of judgment comes from heaven in majesty. (Revelation 10:1)
God’s message is found in a book. (Revelation 10:2)
God’s voice is loud and unmistakably glorious. (Revelation 10:3)
Some revelations of judgment are too glorious to communicate. (Revelation 10:4)
God’s message is true and consistent with heaven itself. (Revelation 10:5)
God’s message is established on the truth of the eternal Creator. (Revelation 10:6)
God has communicated the truth of coming judgment before–through the prophets. (Revelation 10:7)
The message of God is to be received. (Revelation 10:8)
Sometimes God’s truth has a souring effect, but is always sweet to taste. (Revelation 10:9)
God’s message has the effect He intends for it. (Revelation 10:10)
God’s message concerns all people, everywhere. (Revelation 10:11)

Weekend Recap – Committed to Completion

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As I wrote over the weekend, yesterday, 8/19/12AM, my sermon was on Committed To Completing the Race from Hebrews 12:12-17.  My opening illustration was from the ’92 Olympics and video of that can be found from Friday’s post.  God’s marked out a race for all of us.  This passage really encouraged us to demonstrate our commitment to complete the race by a Godly striving for peace and holiness in community and by a zealous fighting against all the things that would detract us from Gospel allegiances.  I hope it proved helpful for you.  And, I hope you had a great day of worship with other believers.  Have a great week.

Committed To Finishing

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This coming Lord’s Day, we plan to look at Hebrews 12:12-17 and hear a call from God to strengthen our resolve and commitment to finish the race.  This means striving hard after things like holiness and peace and fighting against things like sinful roots, immortality and the anti-grace mindset that so easily raises its head.

To introduce this message, I am going to use the story of Derek Redmond from the 1992 Olympic games where his father helped him finish the race and cross the finish line.  Here’s a video of that story. As you watch it, think about your desire to finish the race that God has called you to run and come this Sunday expecting God to give you help in His Word.

Tweets from Revelation 9

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In late May, I began 202 days of journaling through the 404 verses of the final book of the Bible, Revelation.  To go along with my personal study and preparation to preach through this book in 2013, I’m trying to tweet something from every verse.  Today I finished chapter 9.  Here’s a compilation of my tweets followed by the reference.


Revelation 1 | Revelation 2 | Revelation 3 | Revelation 4 | Revelation 5 | Revelation 6 | Revelation 7 | Revelation 8


God’s judgment prepares for the end. (Revelation 9:1)
The torment pictured in God’s judgment is like a great furnace. (Revelation 9:2)
With judgment comes the sting of sin.  (Revelation 9:3)
God’s people are protected from future judgment.  (Revelation 9:4)
God’s judgment is completely under His control. (Revelation 9:5)
God’s judgment is so horrendous, death is preferred. (Revelation 9:6)
The judgment of God appears like envoys of a king going to battle. (Revelation 9:7)
There’s both a beauty and a ferociousness to God’s judgment. (Revelation 9:8)
God’s judgment sounds like an army going to battle. (Revelation 9:9)
God’s judgment, though restrained, still stings. (Revelation 9:10)
The sting of judgment is unleashed through a king, under God’s sovereign rule. (Revelation 9:11)
God’s judgment are woes…and there’s more to come. (Revelation 9:12)
Again, God’s judgment is tied to worship of Him. (Revelation 9:13)
Judgment is prepared beforehand and unleashed in God’s perfect timing. (Revelation 9:14)
Judgment, prepared specifically, is unleashed on mankind. (Revelation 9:15)
God’s judgment comes through many, many means. (Revelation 9:16)
Fire, smoke, sulfur…these images point us to God’s judgment. (Revelation 9:17)
The actual fire, smoke and sulfure are means of judgment. (Revelation 9:18)
God vividly portrays His judgment through the heads of serpents. (Revelation 9:19)
God’s judgment, which should humble mankind, only hardens them to Him. (Revelation 9:20)
Failure to repent sets us on a course to meet God’s judgment head on. (Revelation 9:21)

Leadership: Take Care of Yourself

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Each week, I write a short email to graduates of the Leadership Reno County program.  Here’s this week’s:

Last week I posted an encouragement to “Take Care of Yourself.”  As I was digging out from being gone, I came across the latest KLC Journal (Vol 4, Issue 1 – Summer 2012, which will hopefully be online soon) and in it, under the learning laboratory section on p.102, was the following items to encourage you to “Take Care of Yourself.”  Here’s the info and questions:
 “It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way you carry it.” – Lena Horne
 “As you engage others in difficult work, pay special attention to maintaining your own energy and enthusiasm.  Take time to renew yourself.  Call on friends and colleagues for support.  Be purposeful about taking care of yourself over the long haul.”
 “Ask yourself these questions:
1) How do you know when your energy is waning?
2) What activities, practices and places revitalize you?
3) Whom can you call on for support when you need it?
4) How might you create time or space to take care of yourself?
 These are excellent thought.  Take some time and consider these things and see if it doesn’t have an effect on your long term progress on those issues you care about so deeply.

Weekend Recap – 8/12/12

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We enjoyed a great Lord’s Day yesterday.  For me personally, it was great to get back into the pulpit and, specifically, return to the book of Hebrews to find strength for enduring.  My sermon, Father’s Discipline, from Hebrews 12:5-11 helped orient us to God the Father’s love and care for His children.  God helps us endure by training us to run and encouraging us to be holy and bear fruit that is honoring to Him.

Also, before I preached, we saw a video as Arwen and TJ sang “The Prodigal.”  Here’s that video:

In the evening, we met in small groups.  My group worked through Chapter 4 of Jerry Bridges’ book Who Am I on the appropriate subject: “I am an adopted son of God.”

All in all, we had an amazing Lord’s day.  I hope you were blessed through it.

Summary of My Sabbatical

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July 15-August 5, 2012, I was blessed to be given the gift of a sabbatical, a time of rest.  The leadership in my church freed me from having to keep up with my responsibilities and, in particular, from preaching for the 4 Sundays I was gone.  This was a huge blessing.
Some highlights for me on this included:
1) Unhurried time with Meghan – Our life, like many others, is busy.  With pastoring a local church, being involved in some opportunities in the community, as well has having 3 very young children, I know I don’t do enough to prioritize unhurried time with my wife.  My sabbatical began, at the direction of the Elders, with a Romantic Reflections marriage retreat in Buchanan, MI.  Life Action Ministries has a Lodge that is devoted to serving pastors and those in full time Christian work.  We were blessed to be with 3 other couples and have unhurried time together.  We read, rested, pulled back from busyness and enjoyed our time together. 
2) Unwinding with the family – After our marriage retreat, Meg and I loaded up our family and headed to Illinois.  Picking up my Mom and attending a family reunion over a weekend, we ended up in Florida, taking our children to the beach for the first time in their lives.  We had a good time there.  All the kids loved getting in the water and having some time with my Mom.  We would typically go out in the AM to the beach and then end up resting in the afternoon before finding something fun to do in the evenings.  It was a good time of fun together.
3) Unfastening tires – Like any good family time together (and keeping with our “un” theme), we had our share of frustrations.  Whether it was a slow drain in a hotel room, having children get sick, waiting in long lines for meals, having a tire sustain heavy damage on the interstate in rural Kentucky or just dealing with being cooped up together in a van for long time frames, we made some good memories by facing difficulties together.  Many parts of each of our hearts were exposed.  I’ll remember these times for a while thinking about this trip.
4) Uncovering memories – my sabbatical came on the heels of preaching my paternal grandfather’s funeral. This, coupled with being on the road with my Mom for many hours, brought back many memories from my life.  At the reunion, for instance, I learned some things about my Mom’s Dad and our extended family, running a blacksmith shop in the early 20th Century.  These memories were definitely a highlight.
5) Unpacking –  I’ve lived out of a suitcase for nearly a month and I’m ready for home.
6) Unveiling – My sabbatical ended with me studying the book of Revelation at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY.  I had the opportunity to have some meetings with people, but much of my time was just praying over and reading the text in slow, undistracted ways.  I was able to be near some research and resources that help show me facets of truth I hadn’t seen before.  All of this time is helping me to slowly but surely begin to get passed so much of the mystery of this book to unveil the supreme glory of Jesus Christ shining brightly through it. 
I’m very blessed in what I was able to do in these 3 weeks.  I only hope my passion for God’s glory is unhindered as I continue to live a life unashamed of the Gospel.  Thanks to those of you who prayed.  I owe you a debt for bringing me to God.  Thanks to all who made this possible.  I hope there is tangible fruit in my life you are able to see.  

Tweets from Revelation 8

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In late May, I began 202 days of journaling through the 404 verses of the final book of the Bible, Revelation.  To go along with my personal study and preparation to preach through this book in 2013, I’m trying to tweet something from every verse.  Today I finished chapter 8.  Here’s a compilation of my tweets followed by the reference.

Revelation 1 | Revelation 2 | Revelation 3 | Revelation 4 | Revelation 5 | Revelation 6 | Revelation 7


The prospect of God’s judgment produces silence in heaven. (Revelation 8:1)
Before God alone is where true and righteous judgment is found. (Revelation 8:2)
The prayers of God’s people are pleasing to HIm, like incense. (Revelation 8:3)
Our prayers rise to God Himself. (Revelation 8:4)
In some ways, God’s judgment will vindicate His people on the earth. (Revelation 8:5)
God’s judgment of the world involves a specific plan. (Revelation 8:6)
Sick of summer’s heat drying up your grass? Be thankful it’s not God’s full wrath being poured out.  (Revelation 8:7)
Sea’s turning to blood? God’s judgment shows His power, just like what He did in Egypt.  (Revelation 8:8)
God’s judgment will unravel creation and created things for His new creation to shine glorious. (Revelation 8:9)
From heaven comes God’s terrifying judgment, affecting all of life’s most basic needs. (Revelation 8:10)
Wormwood = bitter. God’s judgment will have a bitter effect. (Revelation 8:11)
No longer having light & darkness, even God’s judgment points us to true light and life. (Revelation 8:12)
Even in the midst of judgment, God warns people and shows His lovingkindness. (Revelation 8:13)