Year: 2014

  • Do you have too many Bibles?

    According to the American Bible Society and Barna Group, 88% of American households have Bibles, and the average number of Bibles per household is 4.7!

    Compare this with some parts of the developing world, where Christians may never own a Bible or owning a Bible is against the law. We have an embarrassment of riches, really, when it comes to availability of copies of the Scriptures as well as the number of quality translations.

    I own and use at least three or four separate copies regularly, with plenty more around the house and office.

    I guess what I’m wondering is…Do I have too many Bibles? Do you have too many Bibles?

    Do I need more than one or two at the most (especially with access to sites like Bible Gateway and YouVersion)? Could I be blessing other people by giving away my extra copies? What if I simply chose to give the money I would spend on what is really a luxury purchase away? Maybe to a ministry that will give the Scriptures to someone that might not otherwise have access?

    I’m not gonna lie, nice, expensive Bibles are a weakness of mine. I know it’s okay to pay for quality, to be sure, but after a point my collection could quickly become a prime example of poor stewardship.

    I don’t want to be the guy that keeps someone less fortunate from having access to the Scriptures, just because I like the smell of a new book.

    Too much of a good thing is still too much.

    What are you holding onto that you could give away?

  • 3 reasons why you hate going to church (and what to do about it)

    Edited 2023-09-22

    You know the feeling. You wake up on a typical Sunday morning, roll over, and feel a sense of dread, followed swiftly by a pang of guilt.

    I should really go church…but maybe just not today… You would never say it out loud, but inside you’re thinking, I hate going to church.

    So many people I speak to (even young, Christian ministry leaders) seem to hate going to church. You might not even know why you have that stubborn resistance in your heart and mind every Sunday morning. Here are three extremely common reasons that come up consistently in my ministry, and three ways you can combat them.

    1) It’s one more thing to do in your already-busy schedule.

    You’re a busy person. You have work, school, family, friends, maybe even other ministries. Adding another 2 hour commitment (or more if you volunteer) just seems overwhelming.

    The solution: Examine your beliefs. Do you really believe that the regular gathering of believers for corporate worship under Godly leadership is part of God’s plan for his people? If the answer is “yes,” it’s time to deeply consider your priorities, and ponder how to say “no” to things that might be important, but are simply a lower priority.

    2) The message and music just don’t “speak” to you.

    You’re bored. You don’t connect with the weekly sermon. You’re not into the music…it’s too “Jesus-is-my-boyfriend” or too “contemporary” or too “old-people-style hymns.”

    The solution: It would be too easy to tell you to find another church. Although your discontent might mean it’s time to move it, more than likely you need a shift in perspective. Are you waiting for your pastor to entertain you, or are you expecting God to speak to you? Do you see corporate singing as a team effort or just “me-and-Jesus-time?”

    3) There aren’t enough people in your peer group at your church.

    You look around, and you’re surround by people twice your age…or half your age. It feels like a nursing home or youth camp on steriods. There are too many kids! Not enough kids! You can’t take the sea of plaid shirts anymore! You’re done with people that are so. slow. to. change.

    The solution:</
    strong> Realize it’s not about you. Don’t get me wrong, you need fellowship with Christians in your peer group to be healthy, and your local church may not be able to provide that for you. Yet, that’s not necessarily a reason to jump ship. You might be the person they need to jump start a ministry to your peer group, or you just might bring some much needed balance to your community. Realize your local church will most likely not be able to provide you with the entirety of your spiritual formation…and be okay with that.

    Why do you hate going to church?

  • How to Please God

    Chapter 13 must have been especially powerful to the Hebrews, since the author reiterates that it is the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving (offered in faith) that are pleasing to God.
    The old blood sacrifices had their place, but only as pointers to what God has now fully accomplished in Jesus.

    Animal sacrifices never brought God joy the way a heart set on him does.

    You can act in faith just like those from the “hall of faith”, but now with the full knowledge of God’s saving act on your behalf.

    Now, because of the purifying one-for-all blood sacrifice of Christ, you are free to act out of gratitude. If you want to please God, allow your good works to spring from a thankful heart (cf. Heb. 13:16). (Tweet this)

    As we conclude this series on Hebrews, pay close attention to Hebrews 13:12-13. Jesus endured the cross for us so that–out of thankfulness–we too might be able to give ourselves for the sake of others.

    Are you so grateful for what Jesus has done that you are willing lay everything down to lead others to him?

    Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV)

  • 3 reasons you should run a Tough Mudder (or any obstacle race)

    Me about halfway through the Tough Mudder Me about halfway through the Tough Mudder

    When I started on my fitness journey less than 2 years ago, I could barely run three miles. I couldn’t do a single pull-up and was embarrassed to set foot in a weight room because I was so intimidated. Well, I pressed through thanks to the encouragement of my family and friends and I finally completed a major fitness milestone: I ran the Arizona Tough Mudder 2014. About 12 miles plus obstacles, including mud pits, wall-climbs, insane monkey bars, ice-water swims, and electric shocks.

    If I can do this, anyone can do this. Not only can you do this, but I think you should do this. Here’s why:

    1) Regular training builds discipline.

    I struggled to maintain my training habit on the weekends,  but boy was it worth it! Discipline breeds more discipline, and not just in the physical realm. You will be surprised to find out what you will accomplish in every area of your life when you begin to take control over your own body. The power of incremental change over time is immense.

    2) You will do things you are afraid of…and accomplish things you never thought possible.

    Trust me, I was afraid of diving into ice water, but I felt amazing after I conquered it. My confidence went through the roof for the whole rest of the race! I was afraid I would fail to buddy-carry a guy about 1.5 times bigger than me, but somehow I did it! Confronting your fears is a key aspect of growing beyond them. Like the discipline piece, the benefits of overcoming your fears in one area of life will bleed over in many others.

    3) You will be encouraged that you’re not doing life alone.

    I would have never even attempted this kind of event without encouragement and advice and inspiration from my friends. I literally could not have scaled some of those walls without a friendly stranger giving me a boost. I couldn’t of made it out of any of those mud pits without relying on a helping hand. Proof:

    The kindness and camaraderie at Tough Mudder and other events will restore a bit of your faith in humanity…and remind you that you can pay it forward elsewhere.

    What would completing a challenge like the Tough Mudder mean for you?

  • The one reason you can't give up when things get tough

    You may be tired, worn out, discouraged, and in pain. But you can’t give up. Not now. You’ve come too far, and too much is at stake.

    Like most of the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 12 is rich with meaning to unpack, too much for a single post.

    That said, the key for me is in the first two verses.

    Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

    Run this race of life with endurance. You may trip, you may fall, but that’s okay.

    Get back up.

    Push through whatever is holding you back. Keep your eyes on Jesus…that’s where you’re going, and he’s worth the pain.

    You’re not alone! A great cloud of witnesses made up of both the saints here on earth and in heaven is cheering you on.

    Jesus started this journey with you and he will finish it with you. (Tweet this) In fact, Jesus is the prize. He is who you are running toward. You know him now so you can know him even more completely in eternity.

    The promise of a greater communion with Christ can carry you through the darkest, most mundane, most wearing times. His love will lift you up.

    Jesus endured excruciating physical, emotional, and spiritual pain “for the joy set before him” (Heb. 12:2).

    Because Jesus did this, you too have much set before you. You have forgiveness, redemption, resurrection, hope.

    You have “a kingdom that cannot be shaken” now and in the future (Heb. 12:28).

    Run to Jesus.

    Press on.

  • Why do we need the means of grace?

    And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (John 1:14-16 ESV)

    Back when I started my journey toward a sacramental theology, I was hesitant to consider the Lord’s Supper and Baptism to be “means of grace.” In my mind, this seemed to be adding something–works–to faith in Jesus for my justification and sanctification.

    Thankfully I was hanging out with some Lutherans at the time, and one pastor helped to set me straight. I asked him, “Why do we need ‘means of grace’ if the grace we receive in our simple faith in Jesus is sufficient?”

    He said, “Because, Nathan, God doesn’t want to give you just sufficient grace. He isn’t just giving you enough grace, he is giving you more than enough grace!”

    The sacraments aren’t works, they are gifts from God.

    What a shift in thinking.

    What a great God.

    He makes even our principal act of corporate worship (Holy Communion) a gift for us.

    Even as we worship him he gives us himself.

    I often say, “Jesus is enough.”

    As I remembered this conversation from years ago, I was reminded that not only is Jesus enough, he is more than enough.

    “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15 ESV)

  • 4 life-changing lessons I learned about spiritual leadership while being a follower.

    Four years ago I finished my graduate degree and had been working part-time as a worship leader for nearly three years. I was certain the best way I could serve God was in vocational, full-time ministry.

    For various (and probably good) reasons, no one would hire me! I was hurt and confused, and moved to from Texas to Arizona to work in a “non-ministry” field. Even though I wanted to serve God in a position of spiritual leadership, the time wasn’t right. I had to wait.

    God taught me 4 life-changing lessons during that period that have proved to be invaluable now that I am in a position of spiritual leadership.

    1) Sometimes you have to learn how to be a better spiritual leader by following for a while, even if you wish you were leading right now.

    In my case, I realized I still had a lot to learn about pretty much every aspect of ministry. I slowly came to appreciate how much God was teaching me by allowing me to watch and follow great leaders.

    2) Ordained or “official” ministry is never the only way to lead, nor should it be.

    There are always opportunities, places, and ways to point people toward Jesus, no matter what your title or position or job—and pointing people toward Jesus is the essence of spiritual leadership.

    3) You will often take your greatest risks for God in everyday life, not in your “official” leadership position.

    Don’t discount the dangers inherent in the “ordinary” Christian life. It is a risk to devote time to feeding the poor when you are not being compensated. It is a risk to give your money sacrificially. It is a risk to be bold with Gospel in relationships with people that may not agree with you. It is hard, purposeful, meaningful work to lead people toward Jesus not from a position of organizational authority, but of service and genuine relationship.

    4) Do not be too quick to desire much influence.

    It is not wrong to see your gifts as leader and move to use them for the Kingdom, after all, “…if anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task”(1 Timothy 3:1 ESV). That said, you must always keep in mind that in general, God starts us off small. If you cultivate contentment and faithfulness with the “small” things (which are often really the most important, foundational things), then you must trust that God will give you a greater scope of responsibility when you are ready. “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much…”(Luke 16:10 ESV).

    What have you learned about spiritual leadership by being a follower?

  • What is saving faith anyways?

    Here we come to one of the most beautiful and inspiring passages in all of Holy Scripture–the “hall of faith.” As the many names are recounted–Moses, David, Samuel, and more–a beautiful picture unfolds.

    A bunch of murderers, adulterers, bad parents, and alcoholics somehow managed to play key roles in God’s saving plan and be transformed in the process. Read More “What is saving faith anyways?”

  • 5 powerful ways to keep growing when you can’t find a spiritual mentor

    I’ve written about how to find a spiritual mentor, but one thing is for sure: it’s not an instant process. It can sometimes take a while to find the right person–or for the right person to find you. If you’ve not yet found a spiritual mentor, take heart! Don’t forget these five ways to continue to grow as you pray and think about who might be a good mentor.

    1) Value one-off conversations

    You may not be able to have an ongoing arrangement, but don’t forget the value of asking someone you respect in the faith to lunch every now and then. Perhaps you can make a habit of asking one person from whom you know you can learn to coffee once a week. Then remember to do more listening than talking.

    2) Find mentors in books

    I consider C. S. Lewis a spiritual mentor, even though he died long before I was born. I’ve read almost everything he’s written on Christianity and he is an author I return to frequently for reference when I come up on a theological problem. Tim Keller and N. T. Wright have also become mentors for me this way. Find a solid author that resonates with you, and begin to read all of their work.

    3) Create a life plan

    Creating a life plan is an essential way to sharpen your focus and gain clarity on how to move forward in life. There are plenty of the self-guided programs out there; I recommend Storyline by Donald Miller. Going through Don’s process will take you a few weeks, but the time investment will pay off. You’ll begin to better understand what’s really important in your life and the areas that you need to be mentored in.

    4) Find someone you can mentor

    Everyone needs a mentor and to be mentored, depending on the season of their life. Consider whether it might actually be the time for you to reach out and find someone to invest in. As I’ve made mentoring others an integral part of my life, I’ve experienced tremendous personal and spiritual growth.

    5) Continue your education

    Enroll in classes online or at a local college that will benefit you spiritually. Consider church history, systematic theology, or even a class in spiritual formation. Read blogs and listen to podcasts that will help think through spiritual issues and gain biblical knowledge.

    How have you continued to make spiritual growth a priority while you look for a mentor?

  • What I learned about life by training for the Tough Mudder

    I’ve been training for the Arizona Tough Mudder event. The Tough Mudder comes around once a year and completing it has been a fitness goal of mine ever since I decided to become more physically disciplined. Basically, it’s a half-marathon with obstacles like ice-swims, rope-climbs, barbed-wire-crawls, and electric shocks. Sounds fun, huh?

    Well, I set a personal record distance record recently while training: 11 miles. It was no triumph though. I got home after that run and practically collapsed; I was useless for the rest of the day. Nausea and muscle cramps kept me miserable for hours.

    This came as a bit of a surprise to me since I had just run 10 miles the week prior–and killed it. What happened?

    Basically, I made a series of small, but critical mistakes.

    • I decided to run in the hottest time of the day instead the early morning like I usually do. This resulted in mild dehydration.
    • I took a new route that I hadn’t properly scoped out. It included long stretches of uphill terrain I wasn’t used to.
    • I ran on the painfully hard pavement instead of my usual soft trail. My knee was basically yelling at me in protest by mile 4. After the run it hurt just to walk.
    • I ran less than an hour after eating a meal (I usually wait two or three).
    • I didn’t bring any electrolyte replacements or calories even though I knew I’d be running for well over 90 minutes.

    Here’s the thing. I totally knew what I was getting into before my run, but I had underestimated the collective impact of these bad choices.

    If all other factors had been ideal, any one of these things would have been an annoyance, but wouldn’t have knocked me out of commission.

    I’m determined to get a life lesson out of this miserable experience, and here it is:

    We often miss the cumulative negative effect of our many, small, unfortunate choices. Don’t do that.

    Every time I make the small choice to be irritated at my spouse instead of being gracious, the likelyhood that bitterness could take root gets bigger. If I let my prayer time go today, my Bible memorization session slip tomorrow, and forget to go to church on Sunday, how can I expect to hear from God?

    It’s the little things that count.

    What would change for you if you began to address some of those recurring, seemingly-small bad decisions you catch yourself making?