A while back, Scotty Smith wrote on the topic of loving others – and how we can fully and freely do so only when Jesus is our sole satisfaction and deepest identity. Scotty wrote this as a prayer, but I’ve reworded it as a brief article. Enjoy. Of all the pits easy to fall into,…

Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions (or set goals) for this new year? Two of the most common goals people set are… 1) Attend to my spiritual life more consistently, and 2) Attend to my physical life more consistently (usually meaning exercise and diet). Whether you are still on track with your goals, or…

I’ve always had an interest in learning what lessons others have gleaned throughout their pastoral ministry – in particular, as they look back upon their years with greater wisdom and insight. I wrote my own series of what I’ve learned over my first 30 years in ministry back in 2010 here. I share many of…

Almost 30 years ago, I took several days during a vacation to evaluate all that I was doing and to state in one brief sentence what my purpose in life was (my Mission Statement) – i.e. Why do I get out of bed in the morning? What is it that drives me day in and…

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” (Augustine) “I look in the mirror and say, ‘What is a young man like me doing in an old body like that?’” (Haddon Robinson) “Two things are said to be rare sights in the world; one is a young man humble,…

Christianity Today recently published an article I found fascinating. The article shared the results of studies that show the practical benefits that come to a person who readily forgives others, practices gratitude and demonstrates humility in their relationships. Here’s a short excerpt from the original article (with the tongue-in-cheek title of “What Brilliant Psychologists Like Me…

“Life is not measured by length but by depth. Birthdays tell us how long we have been on the road, not how far we have travelled.”  (Vance Havner) “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance, the only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” (C.S. Lewis) “We need to be reminded…

Pastor Scott Slayton recently posted some of the best quotes from Tony Reinke’s excellent new book 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You. Eye-opening and well worth reading. Enjoy! The Best Quotes from 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You  by Pastor Scott Slayton This year I have been giving time to reading on the effects…

An Open Letter to Those Frustrated by Their Progress in Sanctification By David Powlison “I do think that if you add these two things together—realism about the ongoing struggle that makes you actually need the Lord and then contentment with these quiet, unspectacular graces that are about living a human life that’s worth living—then sanctification…