Month: May 2017

Preaching: The Middle School Boy Syndrome

Nothing else smells like middle school boys. They begin middle school with a particular odor, forgetting deodorant as often as they remember it. They end middle school smelling just just as strongly, but no longer of body odor–they have discovered their body odor and now work to mask it in gallons of cologne and body …

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The Power of Positive Thanking

I’m not convinced of the power of positive thinking, but I am confident in the power of positive thanking. Paul had a great way of expressing his gratitude to others: he not only thanked them, he thanked God for them…and then he told them what he had done. Consider these few examples: I thank my …

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Pastors: VBS, Because The Gospel Matters

Why do I care about Vacation Bible School? Kids and their parents need to hear the gospel and about thirty-percent of the families who attend our VBS are unchurched. Pastors, make Vacation Bible School a priority. I recognize that it may seem old fashioned and some of you have actually changed the name or maybe …

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God Hears My Cry (Youth Sunday Sermon)

God is big enough to hear our cries and handle our heartache. He hears our cries and He cares for our pain. He is near to the brokenhearted. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.

The Big Questions: Does God even care?

Psalm 119:145-152

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
        I will keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
        that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
       I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
        that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
       O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
        they are far from your law.
151 But you are near, O Lord,
       and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
       that you have founded them forever.

Study Guide

Book Review: Why Trust The Bible?

Our student ministry always gives books as a graduation gift. This year the gifts included an ESV Study Bible for anyone who didn’t already have one and a collection of other books that Luke (@LukeTolbert), our student pastor, hand selected. Among those books was Why Trust The Bible? by Greg Gilbert. This is a short book …

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Pastor: Feed, Lead, and Protect

What are a pastor’s core responsibilities? Several years ago, Thom Rainer, conducted a survey  with his 12 deacons to discover what the church they expected of their pastor. He admitted to being surprised at the findings of his survey: in order to meet the minimum expectations of his deacons, he needed to spend 114 hours per …

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