The Way of Weakness
To those who are hedged in by helplessness, the secret of God’s Power is revealed. Billy Graham once said, as I recall it, “If God takes his hands off me, my mouth will turn to stone.” For years this remark …
Responding with Compassion (When You’d Rather Not)
Years ago an old colleague accused me of gossiping behind her back. It wasn’t a soft accusation either; it was bitter, hurtful, and destructive. She sent me vicious messages on social media and began attacking my reputation. I eventually had …
Asking For A Miracle
Should you dare to approach God for a supernatural solution? Adjusting the oxygen cannula and elbowing the IV tubing aside, I pulled Aunt Ruth toward me with the draw sheet to rub her bony back. Inwardly I wrestled with the …
If We Confess Our Sins
Sin, more than anything else, stands in the way of Christian growth. If we would grow as Christians, we must take it seriously and deal with it as God intends. (This post was written by Jerry Bridges, originally published in …
Three Misconceptions About Witnessing
Some Christians who want to do what is right—who want to witness effectively—have wrong assumptions. Eventually, this can be devastating. And when you put fear and wrong facts together, you find Christians who really wind up in a pickle. They …
Discipling as Coaching
We typically think of discipleship relationships in the category of mentoring. A mentoring relationship is where someone who has more experience or knowledge seeks to transfer that information to someone younger or less mature. One person, the mentor, sets the …
Finding God’s Presence in Our Panic and Pain
When I was a junior-high ministry pastor, winter camp was a staple of our calendar year. Each Saturday night of camp, as we prepared to say good-byes, the students would sob. I mean, they’d bawl their precious little tween eyes …
Steps To Biblical Fellowship
God has given each of us the responsibility to care for one another—here are four practical ways to build up the Body of Christ around you. When our church was without a pastor for two years, our congregation looked to …
How God Speaks in Prayer
Jesus demonstrated a life of perfect communion with God. He interacted with his Father throughout the day, spent entire nights conversing with him, and explained to his disciples that he only did what his Father told him to do. As …
Most Leaders Could Use More Friends in Low Places
We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s good to have friends in high places.” The junkyard (and I have lots of great, junkyard lessons in my book, Salvaged) turns that axiom upside down. In reality, it’s good to have friends in …