My study at church was too hot today – – so, I swam in books at home. This is how my desk looked at 10:30 PM before organizing for tomorrow. My computer was even worse with way too many apps…
Learn to Run Faster and Get Better at Life — With Made to Stick
Communication skills in life, are like speed in sports. Speed won’t guarantee that you are a good athlete. But, if you have speed, you will be better at every sport. Being a good communicator won’t guarantee that you are good…
Reading, Reflection, and Preaching
“An individual without time to read broadly and intensely, without time to reflect on life, without time to compose (even if merely in a personal journal), is not likely to be an individual who can preach.” T. David Gordon.
T. David Gordon on Watching Television (I Think He’s Against It)
I read today to great profit Gordon’s recent book on preaching or the lack thereof. I would recommend it for pastors. (Gordon will make you feel a bit defensive at points which is a good thing). I would also recommend…
Don’t Insist on Seeing Too Much of Your Pastor
Haddon Robinson: A lot of pastors are all circumference and no center. If you are going to preach well, you have to spend time studying." Quoted in Quitting Church by Julia Duin. If we pastors are to avoid being all…
Why Kill the Pre-Schoolers in Jericho?
I recently preached a sermon (click here to listen) that considers a very tough question, “Why did God order Israel to kill everything in Jericho including pre-school age children?” What would you say if someone asked you about the ordered…
Chris and Jamie Brauns Birth Announcement
Please join Jamie and me in celebrating the arrival of our first baby Kindle. Born late in the afternoon of March 11, he weighed just over 10 ounces. Both dad and Kindle are doing well. I was a real trooper…
Kierkegaard Explains Part of the Reason I am Preaching on the Wholesale Destruction of Jericho
“Only the possibility of offense (the antidote to the apologists’ sleeping potion) is able to waken those who have fallen asleep, is able to break the spell so that Christianity is itself again.” Soren Kierkegaard Along with that, it’s in…
Who I Had Over For Coffee This Week
It isn’t that a bunch of intellects actually show up for coffee. I listen to them speak off the printed page. Books are stacked all around me at church and home and I turn from one to the other as…
Nothing will destroy children quite like turning them into idols.
I would like your feedback. Is this an accurate statement to say in my forthcoming sermon on Heb 11:17-22? If Abraham had not been willing to destroy Isaac, he would have destroyed Isaac. In losing his son, he found him.…