For several years now, I have found myself having the same conversation with pastors, missionaries, parents, and friends from very different settings. People describe a growing sense of pressure coming from every direction. Family life feels harder to sustain. Commitment to the local church requires more intentional effort. Work and community obligations press in with … Continue reading Why Ordered to Love Needed to Be Written
Striving for the Faith Is Now Available
The wait is over—Striving for the Faith is officially here. Pre-orders have finished, and orders are now being fulfilled. If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on a copy, now’s the time. This book is my attempt to call the church back to a grittier, more biblical vision of faithfulness. Drawing from Philippians 1:27 … Continue reading Striving for the Faith Is Now Available
Grace and Peace From God for the Current Season
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:1-2 ESV First impressions matter. There’s a world of difference between walking into the office on Monday … Continue reading Grace and Peace From God for the Current Season
Me and Jesus: An Interview
Every now and then, I’m accused of having my head in the clouds. Hard to believe, isn’t it? That’s why I was surprised and refreshed when a South African podcaster approached me a few months ago asking to interview me on a fairly simple topic: Jesus. Who he is, what he has done in my … Continue reading Me and Jesus: An Interview
Return, O Wanderer: An Open Letter
This article originally appeared on ABWE. Dear friend, It’s been a while. We’ve seen each other in passing a couple of times. Your pictures popped up in my news feed. I think I might’ve seen you at the grocery store last week. What I really mean to say is, it’s been a while since we fellowshipped. … Continue reading Return, O Wanderer: An Open Letter
Radical or Reasonable?
I remember one Sunday morning in my teen years on which a woman at church made a passing comment that I was “very pious.” The comment came during an angsty phase of my life, in which I was just beginning to learn theology and take my Christian walk more seriously. I was unsure how to … Continue reading Radical or Reasonable?
The Kind of Revival We Should Pray For: 4 Traits
True revival only takes place when those guilty of sin plead for mercy on the basis of the once-for-all atonement of Jesus Christ. Cultural reform profits nothing unless those whose hearts are revived cling to the cross of Christ.
Why Risk Is Still Right
This article is cross-posted on ABWE.org. Several years ago, when I was contemplating a transition from my role as a youth pastor into missions mobilization, one of the questions that gripped me was: Am I deserting my “flock”? How many of the young adults I’m leaving behind will make shipwreck of their faith? As I … Continue reading Why Risk Is Still Right
5 Ways to Pray Missionally
We restless North Americans struggle immensely to prevail in prayer. I struggle in prayer. I see impoverished, persecuted believers in other parts of the world praying with fervor, corporately and individually, and I marvel at my own ineptitude when it comes to conversation with God. Yet prayer is an inescapable concept. Desperation of any sort produces dependence … Continue reading 5 Ways to Pray Missionally
A Brief Reflection on Judaizers
“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so … Continue reading A Brief Reflection on Judaizers
