The Blessings of a Long Life Dad
Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers … 1 Corinthians 4:15 This morning I sat in a local cafe, eating breakfast with my son, who has just finished high...
View Article“Pastor, please preach on this …”
Each week, a congregation expects its pastor to preach the Scriptures, call people to prayer and salvation, administer the sacraments, pray for the sick, comfort those who mourn and encourage the...
View ArticleWhat does the Bible say about vetting?
What do the Scriptures tell us about vetting? Is it ok to require people to pass some sort of character test in order to gain the privileges of leadership or citizenship? Should there be a thorough...
View ArticleTaking a Stand Without Picking a Fight
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. Titus 3:10 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed....
View ArticleForgiving Difficult People
The chasm that separates “us” from “them” yawns wider day by day, even as the bridge that longs to connect the two looms tall, largely unwalked. Twenty-five years ago, when I was a young man new to...
View ArticleWhat Is Encouragement, Anyway?
He wore his shame like a weighty overcoat—understandable, given all he’d been through. A “moral failure”—that’s what it’s called in church circles, which essentially means you’ve been unfaithful to...
View ArticleA Peculiar People
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people … It is for you now to demonstrate the goodness of him who has called you out of darkness into his amazing...
View ArticleThe Full Armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-17
This is a portion of my sermon notes from a recent message at New Life. Many asked for the list of confessions and prayers I gave in the message. To listen to the entire message or any in the series,...
View ArticleThe Blessings of a Long Life Dad
Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers … 1 Corinthians 4:15 This morning I sat in a local cafe, eating breakfast with my son, who has just finished high...
View ArticleThree Reasons I Still Take Notes in Church
But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. Luke 8:15 For as long as I can remember, I’ve taken notes when...
View Article10 Years at New Life
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 Ten years ago, Pam and I loaded up a car with our two kids and a few pieces of luggage, and left our...
View ArticleThe Essential Church Podcast
We’re really excited to announce the launch of what we’re calling the “Essential Church Podcast.” For years now I’ve been wanting to create a platform to talk regularly and openly about all of the...
View ArticleAre We In Revival?
Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6 I grew up in churches that were always praying for revival. We had “Revival Services” every year which usually meant a...
View ArticleBored Churches and Dragon Fireworks
My heart, O God, is steadfast; my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. Psalm 57:7-8 I remember exactly where I was...
View ArticleThe Miracle Story of New Life
The Fruit of Faithfulness: A Decade of Hope for Colorado’s New Life Church
View ArticleSome Thoughts on Church Security
Ten years ago, our church suffered through its darkest day when a gunmen came on our property, opened fire with an assault rifle, killing two of our teenage girls, injuring others, before taking his...
View ArticleFour Things I’ve Learned About Money From Proverbs
The Bible has a lot to say about money, possessions, and riches. Nowhere are these topics covered more thoroughly than in the book of Proverbs. For over 30 years, I’ve found myself immersed in these...
View ArticleJesus the Coach
My childhood was centered around coaches. My dad coached my little league teams and when I entered 7th grade, a retired Marine sergeant was my middle school basketball coach. He terrified us in...
View ArticleFollowing the Light – A Christmas Story
When I was a boy, my dad would load up me and my younger brother in his Ford pickup on cold December evenings and we would go duck hunting in the swamps, sloughs and muddy bayous of Pace Bottom. It was...
View ArticleMartin Luther King, Jr. – The Troublesome Prophet
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Marting Luther King, Jr. No one likes being wrong, and we especially despise the prophets who have the audacity to show us...
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