Matthew | December 30, 2011
Christians love the New Year because it represents something that is dear to the Christian faith—renewal. The marking of the calendar connotes a fresh start. New Year’s Day is a time of starting again, whether it is a fitness program, a diet, new resolutions, or a new resolve to attend church each week (I highly [...]
Matthew | December 28, 2011
Most preachers who have attempted the narrative form of sermon have used the parallel narrative structure. They might not have called it that, but this is what happened. In the attempt to preacher a narrative sermon the minister told a personal story and intertwined the Biblical story into the account. How do I know, because I have [...]
Matthew | December 27, 2011
This book is about one young man’s journey in climbing all of the 14ers in Colorado. It is really just part one of the journey, and at this point I am not sure if part two has been published yet. The book is about the adventure of David. He is a single guy, and lives in [...]
Matthew | December 23, 2011
Well, this is the last post before the Holiday Season. Well, it is the Holiday season, but I am not writing until Monday or Tuesday. But before the little break, I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. This year in Colorado, we will be having a beautiful white Christmas, like the ones I use [...]
Matthew | December 21, 2011
All people do. It might be different forms but the basic patterns are the same. This winter I find myself struggling with my addictive nature. It is harder in winter to deal with this particular addiction, as in the summer I have a different form of the addictive nature. If I do not control this [...]
Matthew | December 20, 2011
Ministers receive a ton of praise. Ministers receive a ton of criticism. Both of these states are true. The problem is that the criticism sticks better than praise. Probably everyone has heard that one comment of concern equals ten comments of compliments. So trust me, your minister is struggling with his role in the congregation. He is wondering [...]
Matthew | December 15, 2011
A sermon that preaches to the Corinthians must realize that the Corinthians are dead. Yes, dead, and since the gospel is for the living, just preaching the same lesson that Paul preached or wrote seems kind of a waste of time. The Roman’s cannot repent. But this does not mean that we do not go [...]
Matthew | December 14, 2011
Most of you all know I read a lot of missional materials. This should be as I am writing a dissertation on the topic. And as you grow in any perspective you are able to look at it objectively and discover the disconnects. It seems to be that there is an impasse with Church Growth [...]
Matthew | December 12, 2011
When the inspiration of the scriptures is denied, all of Christianity comes into question. One of the foundational truths of Christianity is the inspiration and authority of the Word of God. Once one loses the respect of the Holy Text, everything else is destroyed. One cannot have a proper relationship with God and Jesus Christ [...]
Matthew | December 6, 2011
We are officially in the holiday season. Thanksgiving has passed, and Christmas is quickly coming upon us. The Holiday season is an interesting time of year. Some people love it, while others despise it. The time is a season of rejoicing, while others see it as a season of loneliness. How interesting that the same [...]
