3 Signs of Maturity in Christ

When I was in college, my schedule was full of events and activities with my church and campus ministry. Being on the leadership teams of both meant I was occupied Monday through Sunday. Though this characterized one of my busiest seasons, spiritually, I often look back at those years as my most enjoyable, spiritually. But […]

2 More Book Recommendations based on Mark 8:34

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.” – Mark 8:34-35 (ESV) These words of Jesus are ones we often glance over […]

Why God doesn’t give me the perfect __________.

If God gave me the perfect home, I would have no need for my eternal home in heaven. If God gave me the perfect church, I wouldn’t long for the perfect fellowship awaiting with the saints. If God made me the perfect pastor, my church would have no need for the perfect Shepherd, and I would have […]

When I don’t want to worship…

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to preach to our whole congregation at Sunset Church. While at other times I might consider this a privilege, the past week in preparation felt more like torture. A large reason was because I was assigned the dreaded text of Romans 9. While I was fairly confident in my ability […]

Gospel in Life: Not "despite," but "because" of my sin… Amazing Grace.

Today, I was reflecting on some of my past sins. Ever had those days, when you’re driving, or talking with a friend, or praying, and all of a sudden you’re reminded of all that you’ve done in the past? All the shame you’ve carried because of your secret sin with that girl? Or all of […]

Gospel in Life: "Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen."

This past Sunday, PR was giving a message on the mission portion of the name of our church, “Gospel Life Mission Church.” And he mentioned something that I had forgotten about our church name: “Gospel Life refers to how we see the Gospel in our daily lives.” This past Sunday, I myself also gave a […]

I want to tell the whole world that I am a sinner, so that the whole world may know that Jesus is the only Savior…

Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” …Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever […]

The Great Commission – a Mission of Proclamation

I can’t sleep. I’m usually in bed around 11:30, and midnight is even pushing it. But I can’t sleep. Ever had those times when your mind is racing at light speed, and your heart is trying to keep up with the pace, so it starts pounding so hard you feel like it’s going to fly […]

A Pauline Appeal to Gospel-Centered Sanctification

Man is without excuse – and cannot pass judgment – and will be held accountable for their lack of worship to the One true God, whether they’ve heard of Him or not: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men… For what can be known about God […]

"…they worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator"

iPhone4!!!! it came it finally came!!! This past week I finally got the long awaited iPhone4. Anyone who knows me knows that my previous phone (which will remain unnamed, though named after a deliciously tart fruit and “a disturbance of the normal condition of the atmosphere,” courtesy of dictionary.com) was about the most frustrating phone […]