Several years ago, the church I served changed insurance plans.As part of the process, I had to take a blood test to check my glucose and cholesterol levels. While my glucose was fine, the test revealed my cholesterol number was over 250.I was shocke...

Tantrums. Smart-aleck talk. Slammed doors.There is a reason so much parenting material focuses on behavior modification.Life is so much easier when children do what we say. And do it the first time.However, if my ultimate parenting goal is to raise o...

The Monday BluesAs a pastor, I totally understand the Monday blues.After investing hours upon hours in Scripture study, wrestling with the text, writing, and rehearsing your presentation, you engage the heart and minds of the congregation on Sunday m...

Just like overused tires may get worn and lose their gripping power, words may become so overused that they no longer retain the tread with which they were originally created.Consider, for example, the word awesome. In view of the truly awesome (awe-...

In my pastoral experience, I have found that many engaged couples expect marriage to fix the problems that exist in their dating relationship.Conflict will evaporate in the atmosphere of marital bliss, right? Wrong. Big-time wrong.Marriage is not goi...

In 2001, Georgia Tech head coach, George O’Leary, left the Yellow Jackets to take over as head coach for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.A few days later, inaccuracies were discovered in his resumé.The resume stated that O’Leary had earned three let...

When I transitioned from church pastor to full-time seminary professor, I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity… and anxious.A low-grade anxiety lurked under the surface. Why?I think it is a residual fear of failure that has plagued me all my l...

“What if the church wasn’t just for Christian folks, but for the non-Christians, the poor, or those brand new to the faith?”So begins a past Redeemer City to City newsletter. What would it look like to be the church for those who are ...

It's no secret that a high percentage of marital conflict involves poor communication.My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.—James 1:19 (NIV)I’ve been there. You’v...