Recently I was talking with one of my sons about taking responsibility. We were talking about a basic chore—how it serves the family when he does it, and lets us down when he doesn’t. It happened to be Passion Week, so I found myself sharing with him something about Jesus that returns to me over … More Taking Responsibility
I’ve been thinking a lot about my wife recently. Some medical concerns have left me reflecting on the sweetness of life, the blessing of a good marriage, the gift Cindi’s been for our 23 years together, and the 27 years we’ve known each other since we met during our senior year of high school—and became … More You Were the Rock
I was going to write a short essay on friendship and time. As I was finishing up a two-hour phone call recently, a friend apologized for the time we had spent. With the naïve condescension of a teacher, I replied that time is not kept in conversations between friends. Or something like that. It came … More Magic, Death, and Magic: This is Writing
This morning I attended a small weekly prayer meeting for work. The structure is simple: one person shares their requests, then another person prays for them. You can imagine the things we shared: family illnesses, parenting struggles, church concerns, work anxieties, ministry opportunities — the daily obstacles and opportunities that face us all. But I … More The Gift of Caring
The expositional teaching of Scripture is the main diet of a healthy church. As it unpacks the Bible and points to Christ, this kind of teaching brings a host of goods to bear on the life of God’s people. We know many of the benefits of expositional teaching, practiced by a godly shepherd. It holds … More The Expositor’s Gift
When I was a preaching pastor, I was often surprised by a particular comment I would get. It would come after a hard message. The Bible passage for that Sunday would be challenging, or about a difficult topic, or filled with exhortation. But after I finished, someone would come up and tell me how encouraging … More Refreshed by Reality: Hard Sermons and the Christian
I’m excited to share that I’ve accepted the invitation to serve as the new Dean of Faculty with CCEF, the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation near Philadelphia. Through earnest prayer, wise counsel, and the path of providence, I believe this invitation is the calling of God. I start on September 9. As the new Dean, … More Our New Calling: Dean of Faculty at CCEF
On July 3, my wife’s only brother died suddenly while we were all vacationing together as a family in the Rockies. He leaves behind his wife Annie and his three boys Jackson (19), Josiah (17), and Ethan (now 14). We still don’t know the cause of death, though we hope to in coming weeks. But … More Charles Heck (1977–2024)
This past week, I felt compelled to change my Sunday sermon and to talk about a serious concern I’ve had as I’ve watched our collective response to the intensifying events of 2020. Based on our congregation’s response to the message, I wanted to share it here as well. This message is not a response to … More A Time to Mourn: Learning to Grieve in 2020
Election Day is November 3. Many millions have already voted, and many more will soon. The church of Christ is an embassy of God’s kingdom, so we are not consumed by elections. But all believers should be faithful citizens of the countries we inhabit on earth, so all believers should care about elections. With that … More How to Vote as a Christian
Dear Church, We all know that over the past three weeks, the constant news about our global pandemic has given way to relentless dialogue about race. These impassioned conversations are happening almost exclusively in online spaces due to our homebound lives and our collective dependence on the endless town hall meeting we call social media. … More Part 2—Dear Church: Can We Talk about Race?
What is a reckoning? A reckoning is “a settling of accounts.” But sometimes, a reckoning is far more—the sudden and brutal arrival of consequences long coming. What we’ve been watching the past two weeks is a reckoning. In recent days, America has caught on fire. The agonizing eight-minute suffocation of George Floyd under the knee … More Part 1—The Reckoning: America, Race, and the Church
Today is Good Friday, the darkest day of Holy Week, a day Christians around the world remember the death of Jesus Christ. In the Christian calendar, the temporary thrill of Palm Sunday has passed and the crescendo of Easter is still to come. Today, only death and darkness. The Christian faith is clear about why … More Good Friday, the Virus, and the Curse
It’s now been several weeks since most churches have gathered in person. The last Sunday our church met was March 8, almost a full month ago. Like many states and cities around the country, our local “Stay Home” regulations distinguish between “essential” and “non-essential” services. In many places now, you can buy groceries and take … More Is the Church an “Essential Service”?
Our Father in heaven, We come to you this morning weighed down. Our hearts are so heavy and so full. We can’t begin to carry all that you’ve laid upon us. We have too much to be grateful for. We are too rich, too loved, too protected. You are too good, too kind, too near. … More A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7). I’m thankful that I feel vulnerable, which is reality. I’m thankful that I … More 100 Things I’m Thankful For
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