Author: Administrador

As a pastor, I am occasionally asked to explain why a loving God would allow the horrible things we each encounter in our lives. Sometimes the question cries out from genuine pain, but more often expresses a sense of skepticism. Seldom is an answer expected. This is presented as the final, unanswerable argument against Christ. … Continue reading “Why God Allows Us to Hurt”

In a recent posting at his Truthful Conversations Blog, Mike Glenn responds to the popular YouTube video “Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus.” (If you haven’t seen it already, click on the link and watch it; you need to know about it.) Mike closes with these thoughts: “It’s not enough for each one of … Continue reading “Why I Love the Church”

On Jan. 22, 1973, the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision legalized the practice of abortion. This year, America observes 39 years of abortion and more than 50 million aborted babies. Think about two things related to this. First, this means for those of us who are under the age of 39, we never have … Continue reading “The Burgeoning Business of Death”

Good preaching/teaching is increasingly difficult to find today. It is difficult not only because it is rare, but also because so few Christians know how to spot it. Ask the average Christian to describe a good sermon and he or she likely will give some of these characteristics:* An engaging intro* Good stories about life* Occasional … Continue reading “Preaching Sermons that Transform Your Hearers”

Speaker/Voice Coach Joni Wilson shares some facts about our communication tool, our voice.• Never whisper if you are losing your voice. You risk damaging your vocal cords.• Excessive heat and air-conditioning will be dehydrating to your vocal cords.• Use of decongestants when you have a cold will dry up mucous. This will make your voice sound rough and … Continue reading “Taking Care of Your Voice”

“I have heard of a brother who trusts in the Lord, and does not study; but I have also heard his people do not trust in him. In fact, I am informed they wish him to go elsewhere with his inspired discourses, for they say that when he did study, his talk was poor enough; but … Continue reading “Spurgeon: Preaching Is Hard Work”

A few years ago, I found a brand new, in-the-box bread making machine at a Goodwill store. Of course I bought it. My family enjoyed fresh bread for weeks until I lost the beater and the machine went into the closet. I found the bread-making process fascinating, especially the action of the yeast on the … Continue reading “Leavened Lives”

In a recent issue of his Daily Hope email devotional, Rick Warren describes the application bridge, which can be used to analyze the contemporary implications of a biblical passage. He lists the three questions of the bridge and then offers an example of its use: • What did this Scripture mean when it was written?• What is … Continue reading “Using the Application Bridge”

R. Larry Moyer recently wrote an article for ChurchLeaders.com on subtle ways Satan can slip into your pulpit. One of the most critical is this: letting your sermon preparation substitute for your own devotional time with God. He writes: “I’ve heard of few sermons that benefited people much when they didn’t first hit the preacher. Preachers … Continue reading “Don’t Neglect Your Devotional Life”

Creativity always has been my bag. The worst thing about being creative in worship is that all your effort is at once visible to a great many people. Virtually there is no place to hide, once the pulpit production is underway. I learned this when I was quite young in the ministry. Once when I … Continue reading “Preaching Points: Creativity and Propriety”