Category: Devotional

Praise You, Thank You, Sorry, Help Us: Teaching the Little Ones to Pray

February 20, 2012

Teaching big truths to little minds simplifies our thinking. Some day I’d like to reach the place where my thinking and teaching could fit Jonathan Pennington’s description of renowned New Testament scholar Richard Bauckham: “He’s on the other side of complexity.” Like any other parent, I’d tried and tried to get our kids (4, 4, 5, 6) to look people … More Praise You, Thank You, Sorry, Help Us: Teaching the Little Ones to Pray

Taking One for the Team

February 10, 2012

In the five days since my New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots in dramatic fashion in Super Bowl LXVI, the drama hasn’t stopped — it’s just moved outside the lines: receiver Wes Welker’s distraught and courageous postgame interview after dropping the game-sealing pass in the fourth quarter; tight end Rob Gronkowski’s much-publicized afterparty dancing only hours after the … More Taking One for the Team

Before “O Holy Night”: “Minuet chrétiens” (“Midnight, Christians”)

December 25, 2011

The classic Christmas hymn “O Holy Night” is a translation and paraphrase of the original French poem “Minuit, chrétiens” (“Midnight, Christians”) by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877). Below is the literal English translation of Cappeau’s original work. “Minuit chrétiens” (“Midnight, Christians”) Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour, When God-man descended to us To erase the stain … More Before “O Holy Night”: “Minuet chrétiens” (“Midnight, Christians”)

New Year’s Resolutions from Southern Seminary Staff

December 14, 2011

Towers is the campus news publication of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The Dec-Jan issue contains three resolutions from eight of Southern’s professors and staff members. Several of them, for different reasons, are worth sharing here: “Read through the entire Bible two times.”   “Say ‘no’ to my grandkids at least once during the year.” … More New Year’s Resolutions from Southern Seminary Staff

Seasonal Love: Caring for College Students through the Breaks (Part 4)

December 12, 2011

1. Breaks invite us to explore new expressions of faith, hope, and love. We are called to trust God in different venues, with fewer of our trusted resources at our disposal, in less comfortable circumstantial climates, with less of a schedule and routine to guide us. We are called to hope in God, his daily … More Seasonal Love: Caring for College Students through the Breaks (Part 4)

Seasonal Love: Caring for College Students through the Breaks (Part 3)

December 9, 2011

1. Breaks tend to conjure up memories — both happy and heartbreaking. Family, home, and holidays all tend to stimulate memories that bring our past to the forefront. And memories are powerful things. There may be memories of sexual sin, wasted years, old romances, broken relationships, parental abuse, damaging choices, untimely deaths, and overwhelming regrets. … More Seasonal Love: Caring for College Students through the Breaks (Part 3)

Seasonal Love: The Affections of a Full-Hearted Minister (Part 2)

December 8, 2011

Winter and summer breaks are unique seasons for Christian college students. Those who minister to them have an equally unique opportunity and responsibility to meet these breaks with seasonal love — personal care that considers the dynamics of the season and the corresponding needs of the person. However, seasonal love does not begin with strategies … More Seasonal Love: The Affections of a Full-Hearted Minister (Part 2)

Seasonal Love: Caring for College Students through the Breaks (Part 1)

December 7, 2011

After ten years of Christian college ministry, I operate in semesters. My year starts in August, breaks for Christmas, relaunches in January, and finishes in May with caps and gowns. There’s a lot that happens in between each segment, but the rhythm is palpable. One unique element of college ministry is the breaks. For faculty and staff, … More Seasonal Love: Caring for College Students through the Breaks (Part 1)

Perfecting Your Craft: Wisdom from Aaron Rodgers

December 6, 2011

Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback for the defending World Champion Green Bay Packers. After playing at Cal and surprisingly slipping to the 24th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Rodgers sat behind legend Brett Favre for three years from 2005-2007 until Favre’s legendary annual retirements led to his trade from the Packers to the New York Jets. … More Perfecting Your Craft: Wisdom from Aaron Rodgers

Church-Planting among the Unreached: Gritty Wisdom from Brad Buser (Part 4)

December 2, 2011

This is the final installment of a four-part series about church planting teams working among unreached tribes. Former 20-year tribal missionary Brad Buser (Papua New Guinea) shared these twenty practical tips with his Cross-Cultural Church Planting class at The Master’s College in 2004. Here are Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. 16. You’re not asked, … More Church-Planting among the Unreached: Gritty Wisdom from Brad Buser (Part 4)

Church-Planting among the Unreached: Gritty Wisdom from Brad Buser (Part 3)

December 1, 2011

This is Part 3 of pioneer missionary Brad Buser’s invaluable lecture about relationships between missionary partners doing hardcore church-planting among the unreached. Brad and his family spent twenty years among the unreached Iteri tribe in Papua New Guinea, and his wisdom is at once gritty and golden. Be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2, … More Church-Planting among the Unreached: Gritty Wisdom from Brad Buser (Part 3)

Church-Planting among the Unreached: Gritty Wisdom from Brad Buser (Part 2)

November 30, 2011

Brad Buser and his family spent twenty years among the unreached Iteri tribe in Papua New Guinea. They learned the language, translated the New Testament, planted a church, and trained indigenous elders before leaving with their work accomplished. Here are points 6-10 of his course lecture entitled “Ministry Team Startup Talk.” Part 1 contains points 1-5. … More Church-Planting among the Unreached: Gritty Wisdom from Brad Buser (Part 2)

Church-Planting among the Unreached: Gritty Wisdom from Brad Buser (Part 1)

November 29, 2011

Listen to people with scars. That’s become a motto of mine. Brad Buser has scars. In processing some old files recently, I came across one of his handouts from a class on Cross-Cultural Church Planting at The Master’s College around 2004. I never took the course, but Brad and his teaching were so well received by the students … More Church-Planting among the Unreached: Gritty Wisdom from Brad Buser (Part 1)