The Real Christmas Pageant (December 6, 2021)

God has guided His People over history. As we look at that history, does it tell us anything about how He views us today?

Advent Wreath Lighting (Week 2)

I lit the second candle (the Peace Candle) of our Advent Wreath as we continue through a special #52Verses52Books52Weeks journey through Advent. This week, we turn to the Gospel of Matthew.

The Spirit of Christmas (November 29, 2021)

What is the true Spirit of Christmas? This year, we’re going to be thinking about how the Holy Spirit works throughout the story of Jesus’s coming and what His continued work means for us today.

Advent Wreath Lighting (Week 1)

It’s Advent starting today and Melanie Haynes will help us focus our hearts as the season begins by lighting the first Advent Candle and taking #52Verses52Books52Weeks to the Gospel of Mark.

Zippy Ep 16: Thankful With a Huge Helping of Hope

Like a Thanksgiving Dinner, Jason​ and I have a bit of everything in this episode of Zippy the Wonder Snail. Need something to listen to as you go over the river and through the woods? Here’s the menu: thankfulness in the difficulties of life, Christmas music, shopping foibles ahead of #BlackFriday and hope from the Epistle to the Romans ch. 2. Also, we turn back to the subject of Spiritual Abuse, Judy Dabler and Peacemaker Ministries “conciliation” that I wrote about last week.

Jason and I would love to have you join us!

The Reminder We Shouldn't Need

That whole Judy Dabler scandal that Christianity Today​ broke yesterday in a bombshell report? I’m one of those who experienced her spiritual abuse at a church I attended long ago. As a survivor-turned-pastor, I wrote my thoughts over on Open for Business on what we can learn from this and other such scandals…

The lesson every Christian needs to internalize is this: listen. Each of us is responsible for our brothers and sisters in Christ. If they are hurting, listen. If seemingly untoward things happen, don’t make excuses. And, don’t — I repeat, don’t — believe the lie that “these are just minor things” that will hurt the Church’s reputation if we blow them “out of proportion.” That lie still smells of the sulfur of its place of origin.

Christians, we can do better for God’s Glory.

52 Verses, 52 Books, 52 Weeks (Week 46: 2 Peter)

Join us as Jim takes us to the woods (and 2 Peter) to think of the real source for how we become “better people.” It isn’t a self-help book.

52 Verses, 52 Books, 52 Weeks (Week 45: 1 Timothy)

How should we be people of thanksgiving not just as we enter the month that features “Thanksgiving Day,” but every day?