Spiritual Growth
Intentional Discipleship as a Way of Life
Like many pastors, or church leaders, I have this deep drive to make disciples. When I say disciples, I’m thinking beyond information alone. I’m thinking about transformation. The goal of disciple-making is helping people become like Jesus. Remember the words of Jesus regarding disciple making? Jesus didn’t say teach them everything I commanded, instead, he said teach them…
Read MoreFact or Fiction? Americans Pray Differently than People in Other Countries
When our African brothers and sisters met in the lower level of our church in New York, you could literally hear them praying through the floor. When our Arabic brothers and sisters gathered for weekly prayer and worship, they prayed with hands high and spiritual energy to match it. I’ve prayed with Koreans who are…
Read MoreTrump is officially POTUS. Now what?
Guest post by Bill Riedel, Lead Pastor at Redemption Hill Church. I pastor a church in the heart of Washington, DC. We meet in a historic building that is about four blocks from the US Capitol, in the neighborhood called Capitol Hill. A lot of attention is focused on our fair city right now. What’s…
Read MorePastors Need Healthy Boundaries
There’s a phrase in endurance sports called “burning matches.” For every racer, there’s one average pace that gets you to the finish line fastest. And every time you increase your speed above that pace (perhaps to catch one competitor or drop another) you “burn a match.” Burning matches is part of racing, but a smart…
Read MoreYour 2017 Resolution… Run a Marathon
I’m a runner. Well, more of a jogger, to be honest. I’ll never be seen at the front of any competitive marathons, competing with elite runners. But I’ve run just enough of these things to know that the most important thing about preparing for and completing a long run is willpower. A determined will enables old people, heavy…
Read MoreGod Is Still Here
Have you ever contemplated the virgin birth? Mary mothering the KING of kings, the Messiah, the Savior. Sometimes in our Christmas rush we don’t think about the astounding truth of that union. Mary, the young teenage virgin. A woman taught to faithfully look for the Messiah. And God – holy, holy, holy God – massive…
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