Undercover Pastor
A New Habit for an Amazing New Year
In this message, Steve shares how God got his attention in 1997, what God promises to tithers in the Bible, and what it’s been like to be a tither for 14+ years. Continue reading
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We had a database error (and I haven’t posted since May so I didn’t notice). It’s fixed now!
Time to Say Goodbye
Friends, this is a letter to the congregation at Trinity, but anyone interested can read it to find out more about what I’m doing and why. Background I’ve been pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church in West Sacramento for almost 8 years now. And in that time, God has done many amazing things in us and … Continue reading
Digesting a Rock
Life includes a lot of painful stuff. I used to knee-jerk react to it. Then I’d end up some combination of angry, anxious, depressed or bitter. But lately, I’ve been thinking of those situations as being like digesting a rock.
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Prisoners Set Free!
From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook” From Fetters Free March 7 The Lord looseth the prisoner. (Psalm 146:7) He has done it. Remember Joseph, Israel in Egypt, Manasseh, Jeremiah, Peter, and many others. He can do it still. He breaks the bars of brass with a word and snaps the fetters of iron with a look. … Continue reading
God is STILL faithful and strong
This word from Charles Spurgeon is quite timely for those of us facing challenges right now. Try not to be bothered by the King James English. The message is still fresh – God has delivered us in the past and will deliver us from today’s fresh threat. From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook” Past Deliverance Begets … Continue reading
The devil waits for an “opportune time,” but God’s people act in God’s time
The devil and those working against God wait for an “opportune time”: “When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left [Jesus] until an opportune time.” (Luke 4:13 NIV) “From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand [Jesus] over.” (Also see Mark 6:21, Romans 7:8,11, Mark 14:11/Luke 22:6, Jeremiah 46:17 and many others.) But God’s … Continue reading
Christmas Consumerism Overload
We try hard not to give our kids a lot of stuff at Christmastime. We let them get stuff they need like shoes, backpacks, and jackets. They also get a few fun things. It’s not extravagent, but somehow there’s always enough to blow the kids’ circuit breakers. And I guess my circuit breaker blew this year too. … Continue reading
A beautiful Spurgeon devotion about God’s amazing love.
From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook” The Reason for Singing September 19 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his he, he will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) What a word is this! Jehovah God in … Continue reading
Charles Spurgeon on Waiting for God.
From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook” A Strong Heart September 6 “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)” Wait! Wait! Let your waiting be on the Lord! He is worth waiting for. He never disappoints the waiting soul. While waiting keep … Continue reading
Bible Detox for Preachers
One of my sabbatical goals was to read through the New Testament this summer – the church leadership called it “scriptural immersion.” I was surprised by my resistance to doing it. My significant burnout was one factor, but that wasn’t the whole story. When I started seminary, I read an article that talked about the danger … Continue reading
Spurgeon on the challenges of ministry
This devotion was particularly timely as I contemplate the road out of burnout: From Charles Spurgeon’s “Faith’s Checkbook” Choice Men (women too, -ed.) August 27 I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. (Isaiah 48:10) This has long been the motto fixed before our eye upon the wall of our bedroom, and in many … Continue reading
What does a 20-year-old Twinkie look like?
Many of us expected the Twinkie to survive 20 years with few ill effects. Apparently there are natural ingredients in a Twinkie after all! Continue reading
The Church’s Mission from Romans 10
Romans 10:8-15 “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with … Continue reading
Love the Church (from Charles Spurgeon)
My friend Eric gave me a copy of C. H. Spurgeon’s Faith’s Checkbook, and I’ve been using it as a daily devotion lately. Today I happened to peek ahead at the July 10th entry and thought this was worth sharing. (It’s in the public domain so copy away!) You can find more at www.eternallifeministries.org/fcb_toc.htm In … Continue reading
Bacon Salt
Sorry vegetarians, I have to agree with J&D’s – “Everything should taste like bacon.”
Extravagant Love for Crazy Kids
My kids are crazy. Really, they are. Apparently, they’ve been domesticated to the point that they no longer have any kind of survival instincts. We had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Santa Cruz with Eleanor’s family, and someone in the group wanted to check out the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. After getting … Continue reading
Reindeer Roadkill
Saw this on a walk yesterday. Poor Rudolph!
Roadside Memorials – Filling in for the Church?
Are the currently-popular roadside memorials a sign that the world has rejected the church or an opportunity to reach out to meet people’s needs? Continue reading
Morning Prayer for Night People
I have to admit it. For years, people have talked to me about the importance of morning prayer, of starting out each day by dedicating it – and myself – to God. I have tried a bunch of times to do it too. But I find it hard. Here’s the deal. I’m not a morning … Continue reading