Pastor's Note

One of my favorite church interactions is when someone tells me about a thought they had regarding the sermon’s text on Sunday – especially when it’s something I hadn’t fully considered. It’s always encouraging and interesting to see how people are interacting with God’s word in their own minds and hearts.

I write this from Washington state as I participate in board meetings for Multiply (our denomination’s missions agency). The board has been processing some potential strategic shifts in how Multiply interacts with and serves its missionaries and international partners around the world.

I’ve been excited for the upcoming women’s conference. Maybe that excitement is partially because I will have the kids to myself for a few days while my wife is away, which means meals of pizza and chicken nuggets. Dad time can be fun!

I saw this quote the other day, regarding the eclipse; “Eclipse Reminder - Earth is the only planet that we know of that has a perfect solar eclipse, since our moon happens to be about the exact same size as our sun when seen from the surface. As far as we know this is a coincidence, and about a one in a trillion bit of luck.”

Recently I read these provoking words in Os Guiness’ The Call, which was written in 1999, about 25 years ago. I wonder if he would still say the same thing today, or say it in the same way (or even say it more strongly)? I’d be curious to hear his thoughts in today’s cultural climate. What do you think of what he wrote?

What can you tell about a person from their the vehicle they drive? Often not much. But if someone’s primary vehicle is a 15-passenger van, you may safely assume they have a large family. If they drive a flashy, red, expensive sports car, you might assume they have some disposable income and a taste for adrenaline (and speeding tickets). What Jesus rode into Jerusalem said everything about Him and His mission.

Next Sunday of course is Easter. While every day and every Sunday should is transformed by the truth that our Lord lives and reigns, we set aside this particular Sunday to focus on the resurrection. And we know it is one Sunday that many will attend and participate in worship. How can we best prepare and be hospitable on Easter Sunday?

I’ve said often that one of my least favorite necessary tasks is review and assessment. When I worked as an administrative assistant for a seminary, I was generally annoyed by the academic review processes required by academic institutions. I think my distaste may be because I generally want to look forward, not backward.

At Sunday’s Family Gathering, we tried to give a good perspective on all of the ministries going on at CBC, and what they are currently doing, and how you can be involved. I also put forth the question I want all CBCers to consider, which is “What is my ministry, and how can CBC leadership help?”

Recently I’ve been reading “The Call” by Os Guinness, which is somewhat of a modern classic on the concept of Christian calling. In one segment, he talks about what leads to sloth and inactivity, and writes the following; “Loss of faith in God, and therefore in eternity and immortality, leads inexorably to an erosion of vitality in life itself. Max Weber wrote of the secularizing of the modern world as disenchantment.”

Every once in a while I get asked by CBCers if there are areas that need more help and service. I always love that question and the heart it demonstrates. Often, I’m not as ready for the question as I probably should be.

Sunday begins a new round of Sunday School classes, each lasting six weeks (until Easter). Here’s a quick summary of each class!

Recently, there has been a little bit of a stir online in the Christian sphere, sparked by pastor Alistair Begg (whom I love and admire). He was asked a pastoral question by a grandmother as to whether or not she should attend the wedding of her gay grandchild.

Each chapter in John naturally holds a great deal of compelling material, and you could spend a great deal of time meditating on any given section or teaching of Jesus. This week, in studying John 4, one line that particularly captivated me was verse 14; “Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

I listen to a lot of music while studying and working – I find it helps me stay focused. While I was reading and studying John 3, an interesting (and tragic) song happened to pop up on my playlist.

Last week Pastor Shaun and I traveled to Phoenix for a “vision summit” for our denomination (thanks for allowing us the opportunity).

As we saw last week, Jesus invites people to follow Him. There is power in simple invitation. Come and see. Come and follow. That was the thought behind “Visitor Sundays,” in which we encouraged you to invite visitors on the first day of the month.

This Sunday we start our next round of adult Sunday School classes. All around, I’ve greatly enjoyed our classes this year, and think we have benefited greatly from our new basement and the additional classroom spaces.

This upcoming week begins a new year, and with it a new sermon series through John. Along with that new sermon series, we will have a (not that) new focus – discipleship.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” When we begin our sermon series on John, that will be one of the first verses we read.

I mentioned in Sunday’s sermon that Peter’s words for elders potentially can be applied to various spheres of leadership and responsibility.

“The primary action of the church in the world is the action of its members in their daily work.”

This week I’d like to selfishly use this space simply to express my appreciation for CBC.

Each year as we approach the Christmas season, I have the same idea for a churchwide project. And each year, I fail to follow through with it.

I’ve told this story before, and I thought about including it again in Sunday’s sermon, but ended up cutting it for time.

I was talking to a retired pastor in our church, and he told me the story of once listening to a pastor preach on submission.

Scripture tells us the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Last week I talked about the importance and value of Scripture memorization.

I once sat in a class with Dr. Robert Smith Jr., an incredible preacher and professor of preaching at Beeson Divinity School.

Like you, I have followed some of the news, and have been horrified by the brutal images and videos coming out of Israel.

On Sunday I brought up one of my favorite principles of the New Testament letters – that moral imperatives are grounded in redemptive indicatives.

Sometimes when studying theology you get to learn new fancy words. One of those fancy words is “theodicy.”