One idea to kick-start your prayer life

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Everyone needs to reinvigorate their prayer life from time to time. When I sense a need for a fresh injection of vigor into my ongoing conversation with God, I find the most helpful practice is to revisit the names, characteristics, and attributes of the One to whom I am praying. There is a reason that Jesus begins his famous prayer with the phrase "Our Father". It is deceivingly easy to subtly slip into focusing more on what we are praying about than who we are praying to. When my prayer life wains, it is often because I have become more enamored with the results of prayer rather than the Receiver of my prayers. There is a selfish inertia within our souls that wants to make our prayers about us. Its no wonder we so often struggle with prayer. 

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Does God exist? The cosmological argument

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This is a very well-done, helpful and accessible video short by William Lane Craig & Co with Reasonable Faith on the cosmological argument as one clue for the existence of God. While some critique this argument for the many questions it leaves unanswered, we must keep in mind its purpose. This is just one of many clues for God's existence that, together, make a very compelling case that God exists and served as the primary mover of all things at some point in the finite past. 

The dangerous calling of pastoral ministry

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Over our most recent family vacation I spent some time reviewing a number of books I read earlier this year on pastoral ministry. (I try to make a practice of periodically revisiting those I find to be particularly helpful.)  One of those was Sensing Jesus, by Zack Eswine. You can read about that here. Another wasDangerous Calling, by Paul Tripp. Though Tripp's book is directed specifically to pastors, it is a must-read for any one involved in (or considering) ministry leadership. We have already made it part of the required study for our pastor and church planter training. The beauty of the book is its simple, straightforward focus on the gospel and its practical implications in life and ministry. You could call it gospel-licious. Here are a handful of my favorite quotes. 

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Serve the City '13 recap video

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From the Downtown Cornerstone Church blog:  

Downtown Cornerstone Church is committed to building a great city, not just a great church. Our desire is to see gospel renewal take place from the avenues to the alleyways of this city that we love. On July 20th over 100 people from DCC partnered with Dunlap Elementary School in Rainier Valley to help with some much needed maintenance. We serve because we have been served, in Christ. The following clip gives a great recap of our time together serving the city. MORE...

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
— Jeremiah 29:7

Why we're selected by God to do what we do

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I am currently working my way through CS Lewis' sci-fi trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength). Though I'm not a big sci-fi fan (admittedly, I haven't been exposed to much), I am of Lewis. The series is filled with his usual brilliant wit and colorful turn of phrase. I came across the following quote this week and have been thinking about it ever since. In this particular scene, the main character is explaining the reason for which he was selected for the task at hand. Surely his reply explains why any of us are selected for anything. I am certain Lewis is right here and, one day, we will laugh at any seriousness with which we treated ourselves.   

“Don’t imagine I’ve been selected to go on to Perelandra because I’m anyone in particular. One never can see, or not till long afterwards, why any one was selected for any job. And when one does, it is usually some reason that leaves no room for vanity. Certainly, it is never for what the man himself would have regarded as his chief qualifications.”
— CS Lewis, Perelandra, 22

If you're involved in ministry (in any form) you should read this

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I'm currently in the middle of two weeks of vacation. One of my goals during this time is to revisit a number of books which have impacted me most (so far) this year. One of those is Sensing Jesus, by Zack Eswine. Before reading this book, I had never heard of Zack and, to be honest, would have judged this book by its cover. However, if I had, I would have missed a treasure trove of gospel-laden wisdom for modern-day pastors ministering in a culture of consumerism and celebrity. If you're involved in ministry (particularly in the US), you should read this. In my mind, this book should be read alongside Dangerous Calling, by Paul Tripp. I have lost track of how many times I have recommended it since I first read it. Here are a handful of my favorite quotes...

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10 gospel-saturated verses to memorize

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In my personal and pastoral experience, there is no better way to keep the gospel central, clear and uncluttered than memorizing particular passages of scripture that deal explicitly with the gospel. The act of memorization forces you to define the gospel biblically. The result of memorization is that the gospel is now within you, ready to be recalled anytime you need some gospel encouragement or have an opportunity to share. Below are ten verses on the gospel to consider memorizing. You don’t have to memorize them all. Start with your three favorite verses and go from there. 

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Why forgiveness is so difficult

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“We find that the work of forgiveness has to be done over and over again. We forgive, we mortify our resentment; a week later some chain of thought carries us back to the original offense and we discover the old resentment blazing away as if nothing had been done about it at all. We need to forgive our brother seventy times seven not only for 490 offenses but for one offense.”
— CS Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 25

Six suggestions on how to navigate doubt

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I recently wrote a piece, "Six suggestions on how to navigate doubt", for Downtown Cornerstone. Doubt is something I personally encounter, from time to time, and frequently deal with as a pastor of a growing church. Doubt shouldn't be something we ignore, but face directly. But, how do we do that? I wrote this short post to help give a starting point for navigating doubt. Here's an excerpt: 

No matter what you believe, if you’re thoughtful and honest, you will face some measure of doubt. Is what I believe true? Can we know what is true? Do I believe what I do because it is true or for other reasons (personal experiences, moral preferences, particular environment, etc)? Have I reasonably considered the other options?

I was recently asked by a friend, who is in the thick of considering the claims of Jesus Christ, “How do followers of Jesus manage doubt? How do you not let doubt swallow you up completely?” Those are good questions, no matter what you believe.  

 In this post, I’d like to specifically deal with doubt within the context of Christianity. Following Jesus is not an isolated hobby for personal enrichment nor for those merely looking to have their spiritual needs met. Rather, Christianity claims to be the truth of the universe and, if true – and I believe it is – that changes everything. As CS Lewis once said: "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

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