Overt Covert: Thoughts on Spiritual Warfare in America

FoolishBlog Post #2 I was going to comment on Scott’s post about spiritual warfare but decided to turn my comment into a separate post. It is frightening that we in the West have to hear the testimony of those who have traveled to other continents in order to be convinced of the straightforward truth of Ephesians … More Overt Covert: Thoughts on Spiritual Warfare in America

My Hebrews 11

I love Hebrews chapter 11.  It’s sandwiched between the end of chapter 10 and the beginning of chapter 12, both of which speak of endurance.  This means that faith (11) is the meat in the sandwich of endurance (10 and 12).  To use another metaphor, the writer is saying that faith is the fuel that … More My Hebrews 11

Don’t Wing It: Thoughts on Exercising Your Gifts

When I wrote my previous post about Tuesday’s challenging seminary experience, I had no idea what the Lord had in store for me today.  Today it was my turn to preach in Preaching Lab.  So I preached.  At least I thought I preached. Apparently, my sermon resembled “a good chapter in a book” or “a book report,” but not … More Don’t Wing It: Thoughts on Exercising Your Gifts

A Seminary Pop Quiz and the Need to be Challenged

I started seminary classes today (for the third year).  Preaching Lab and chapel in the morning, and Ordination Prep in the afternoon. Ordination Prep is meant to prepare us for the process of pastoral ordination, especially in terms of Bible knowledge.  Ordination, especially at Grace Community Church, is rigorous, comprehensive, and intimidating.  And it should … More A Seminary Pop Quiz and the Need to be Challenged

Hotchkiss Housing: “It Is More Blessed to Give than to Receive”

Returning TMC students come back to campus and move into their dorm rooms today.  There’s an interesting situation in Hotchkiss Hall.  Hotchkiss Hall is a dorm that’s two stories tall and built in the shape of an “H.”  There are four wings for girls on one side of the H, and four wings of guys … More Hotchkiss Housing: “It Is More Blessed to Give than to Receive”

“House of Mourning”: A Meditation and a Poem

A lot of people died this summer. A lot of people die every summer, but what I mean is that a lot of people that I knew died in the past few months – more than during any other period of my life that I can remember.  Stephanie Wood/Perfect and family.  John Bower.  Lynda Varner.  Bethany Rehrer and … More “House of Mourning”: A Meditation and a Poem

Ready to Give

I learned something tonight.  Something very simple, and something that many people already practice, no doubt.  But as always with me, the overall lesson was greater than the immediate lesson. During the summer, the church we’re a part of has dinner together every Sunday night.  Tonight we had StoneFire.  During the service, an offering was … More Ready to Give

“The Greatest Sinner I Know” – Humility (Part 2)

There wasn’t really a “Humility – Part 1”, but since my last post was about one of my recent lessons in humility and since I came across this humility-focused post by Tim Challies, I figured his could qualify as a “Part 2” of sorts.  It’s called “The Greatest Sinner I Know.”  Don’t read it lazily.  Tim writes: I am … More “The Greatest Sinner I Know” – Humility (Part 2)

Good to be an Uncle: Lessons from My Nephew

My five-month-old nephew Jackson is here visiting us (with his mother, of course).  As you might expect, he is amazingly cute.  I am not often around children his age.  I wish I were more. A natural sense of compassion grips your heart when you’re around children of Jackson’s age.  Usually this compassion takes the form of goofy faces, unintelligible and … More Good to be an Uncle: Lessons from My Nephew