Whenever people ask me what I do for a living, I respond by telling them I am a pastor. When I tell them I am a pastor, people appear to be instantly filled with a range of emotions as they try to figure out how to respond. Depending on their spiritual state and their relationship...
Dear friend, How can I light a fire and get you engaged and active in wanting to grow when you don’t really seem that interested? You’re “eh,” “meh,” and “whatever.” What could shake you out of apathy and indifference? What could shake you out of plodding along through life, going through the motions in your...
Discouragement in the Christian life comes easily when expectations are not realized. Some days we read the Scriptures and sense Christ’s stirring—our soul awakens from its doldrums, our mind engages, our heart inflames, and our affections kindle. We find encouragement or challenge in something we read, and our prayers flow with ease. But then there...
Last Monday evening was very hot indeed for the Pittsfield Adult Learning Center’s graduation ceremonies held at the Crosby School. In spite of the heat, I noticed eager and excited faces scattered among the group making their way into the auditorium to find a seat. Yet, it was completely unexpected; that unlooked-for voice of God...
Well. I did it. Just as winter was starting to break at home, I stuffed a new pair of soccer shoes into my bags and boarded a plane to Kajaani, Finland, just over 3 hours south of the Arctic Circle. Most people look confused when I tell them I came to Finland to play soccer,...
In church I happened to sit down behind a woman who doesn’t like me. She used to, but then we disagreed in a Sunday school class and her countenance has changed ever since. It occurred to me during the opening hymn that halfway through the service there was a 50/50 chance we would have to...
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20 Electronic technology has given us a double- edged sword in our growth as disciples of Jesus Christ. We have online catalogs for just about every Christian book or course available. There are podcasts, free...
A Journey through the Beatitudes Using as a guide the book Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Continuing from last month: Our next verse is a little different than the others but it is still an account and description of the Christian. The Lord changes the emphasis slightly from what...
This is an essay I wrote about 10 years ago, when I wanted to record some memories of my childhood for my mother Margaret Barbour. For many pleasant years, we lived in the pretty neighborhood of Mountain Drive, across Williams Street from Grace Church. I’d estimate that this took place was when I was around...
A Journey through the Beatitudes” Using as a guide the book “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount” by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Continuing from last month: We will continue to look at what a person becomes if they in truth have entered the kingdom of God. Verse 9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall...
