Last night, during Worship Out Loud at The Gathering, I spoke on Luke 8:22-25. Here are the thoughts on that passage that led to that talk. Jesus gave His disciples a command: “Get into the boat and let’s go to the other side of the lake.” They obeyed. First step of a good disciple…when you’re…
Acts of the Holy Spirit: The Final Chapter?
Wow, one year and one week later, we’ve concluded the “Acts of the Holy Spirit” Sunday morning series at The Gathering. What a great journey that was as we systematically saw how God worked through individuals to form His church and spread His Gospel throughout the world. Of course, that wasn’t actually the final chapter…
Happy Fab 40th, Karen!
Happy birthday to my beautiful wife, Karen, who is like a fine wine just getting better with age. May you have the best birthday ever! I love you. This is a video I did in Karen’s honor, looking back on the last 40 years including some personal messages from friends and family. I hope you…
When “Judging” Isn’t Judging: Thoughts on Matthew 7
1 Judge not, that you be not judged.2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?4 Or…
When Greatness Increases
I’ve been thinking on the topic of Greatness for the last couple of days. It was triggered in my mind because I’ve been reading about and studying the life of David, someone who was truly a great man in spite of his failure. I came across a verse in 2 Samuel 5 that jumped out…
Get Over Yourself
Those were my three final words from our Discipleship Class this week. They are words I am learning to live by. If you stop and think about it, the cause of most of our conflicts with others is the failure to get over ourselves. It is because we think so highly or at least so…
Separate truths – The Boston Globe
Separate truths – The Boston Globe Please read this interesting article on problems with Pluralism. Posted using ShareThis
When God Goes Missing
Do you ever feel as though there are things God doesn’t see? If my actions are any indication, I must. Sometimes I feel as though injustices happen and God just misses or seems to ignore it. Those are the times I want to (and too often do) call “foul!” really loudly so someone will see…
Amazed
I have to take a minute to say how thankful and proud I am for The Gathering. The more I think about what Scripture says the Church is supposed to be, the more I see The Gathering becoming that. That word “becoming” is so important as we must remember we’ll never arrive this side of…
Motivation
Ok, I’m trying to get motivated. I’m trying to get motivated to……..I’m trying to get motivated to………………….get in shape. There…said it. As hard as it is for me to say it, it’s that much harder for me to do it. I’m really starting to move into that area where I’m thinking more seriously that I…
On Mission
The report yesterday on the mission day in Atlanta was awesome. I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for The Gathering. So many important doors are being opened and it’s incredible to watch our people excited about walking through them. On Saturday, we had 7 people join with a great team from Birchwood Baptist…
My Little Boy’s Day
Awakened to the chaos this morning that is my household: two dogs barking to go outside and two kids engaged in the epic struggle of the love-hate relationship they have with each other called brotherhood. The difference today? The battle involved a nine year-old and a THREE year-old. Andrew has left the terrible two’s and…
Hypocrisy
The charge of hypocrisy is the one I most often hear levied against the Church and used as an excuse by those who want no part of it. “I don’t want to hang out with a bunch of hypocrites” This is often the claim made by those who fail to realize that that statement is…
Deception
Do you have a pet peeve? Is there that one thing that just sets you off quicker than anything else? I heard one person whose pet peeve was people who have pet peeves. Hmm. I think one of my greatest pet peeves is deception. I hate when people try and deceive me…especially when I know…
Devoted to Destruction
Along with several others at The Gathering, I’m reading through the Bible chronologically. Today, I read the account of Joshua leading the people to take Jericho and came across his instructions. He first told them that all within the city was devoted to destruction (people, animals, and everything but the gold). I know that sounds…
Real Community
I’ve been thinking about the real purpose of church and what we’re supposed to be about. Ultimately, of course, it’s to glorify Christ by making disciples (Matt. 28:19-20), but how do we do that together…as a church; a family? Hebrews 10:24-25 came to mind: 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to…
The Beginning?
I don’t tend to be an alarmist and very seldom talk politics as a pastor, but I believe this transcends mere politics. I have talked to the folks at The Gathering for some time about the day that persecution of Christ-followers would be on the increase in America in some form or another. Well, it…
Good Interview on Small Churches: Paul Cunningham
UPDATE 3/25/10 – For some reason, the creators of this promotional video have chosen to no longer promote and marked the video as private. Sorry if you didn’t see it as it really was a good and important interview. Guess I’m definitely not going to the conference now. I don’t know that I’m going to…
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
You may not know the children’s book that bears that title, but it really doesn’t matter – it says it all. I awoke this morning with high expectations for the day in spite of some important and possibly difficult meetings today. I spent time in the Word and praying and climbed out of bed ready…
The United States: A New Frontier
Preface: Please read the entire post before deciding you know what I’m saying by the first three paragraphs. Thanks. ———————– If a street thug gunned down a Muslim for talking to them about the Koran, what do you think would happen? How would the news media handle it? How about if a Buddhist or Jew…
The Warehouse
I’m looking forward to The Warehouse this Friday night at The Gathering. A couple of local bands will be leading worship along with our own Worship Project Band from The Gathering and I will be giving a talk for about ten or fifteen minutes on significance. If you live in or near Chattanooga, you definitely…
