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Nobody likes to be criticized. Everybody appreciates a compliment. These are the two most non-controversial statements ever written on this blog. But they are true. Pastors get their fair share of both. One thing that I am learning as a pastor is that the good friends actually bring both. There will always be people to criticize you when you preach the Bible, deal with sin and frankly, are a sinner yourself. They will make mistakes and get mad at...

Think about this for a moment, on The Day of Atonement (Lev. 16) the most faithful priest would obey God’s word and secure the blessing for his people. However, when the happy worshipper would return home they would remember that they were counting down to the next year. They were looking forward to another atonement. This atonement was not able to provide perfect and eternal salvation (Heb. 10:14). It looked forward in anticipation to one tha...

(Lev 16.31-32) It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever. 32 And the priest who is anointed and be consecrated as priest in his father’s place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments. This is the famous Day of Atonement passage. In Leviticus 16 God communicates to the Nation of Israel how they would have their sin dealt with. This annual event was to deal with their uncle...

I am a college football fan. I love how hard the kids play, the tradition, and the Saturday scene. I also live in Nebraska. Therefore, I have to be down with it (contextualization) or people would think I am from another planet (or New England!). National Letter of Intent Day is today. It is the day when all of the saught after recruits formally put their name on the paper and make a binding committment to enroll at the University. As you might ...

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD,proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,and telling all your wondrous deeds. Psalm 28.6-7 Happiness unmitigated by guilt. Joy fueled by acceptance and security. These are true heart cries of all people. We latch on to whatever seems to provide even a whiff of these evasive treasures. At the end of the day, happiness is fleeting, guilt reemerges, acceptance is out of reach, and security is not ...

I don’t have the time to follow the blow by blow of what is going on all over contemporary Evangelicalism. I try to stay informed though. I do. However, now it is not only my time that is lacking but also my stomach. Every time I turn around it seems like someone is going after someone else. I am talking about even within the camp of those who are soteriologically reformed. The friendly fire is getting old. The off hand remarks, open criti...

The people of Israel often fared well when their king fared well. Good kings, through their leading in obedience, brought prosperity and blessing from God (ie David, Asa, Josiah, Hezekiah). Bad kings, through their leading in disobedience, brought judgment (ie Ahab, Jeroboam, Joash). In Psalm 20 we have a royal Psalm. It is a Psalm that petitions for God’s favor to be on and with the king. May he remember all your offerings and regard with ...

We are now in the last week of the first month of a new year. You know what this means: the steam that accompanied our New Year’s Resolutions has, in many cases, disappated. Many Christians resolve to be more faithful in Bible Study and prayer. Bible reading plans are selected. Early morning alarms are set. Schedules are reshuffled. We were ready. Many Christian men have also resolved to become more faithful in the leading of their homes in...

Today over lunch I enjoyed one of the great privileges of Winter. I went running after a fresh snowfall. In my estimation there is not much that beats this, in terms of winter outside enjoyment. It is quiet, cold, freshly decorated, and full of new scenes. Invariably as I am running my mind is jumping around into different settings as I think through things. Often times I am able to pick up illustrations for preaching and teaching while on the r...

I was listening to local sports talk radio the other day as I was driving home after a long day of meetings. The discussion centered around the impending NFL lockout. In case you haven’t heard the millionare players and the billionare owners are not exactly on the same page on what to do with the over $70 Billion of annual revenue that the league generates (yes, you read that number right). Players and owners are not the only ones gripping....