Pastor’s Blog
Just Say No
“Learn to say no. It will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin”; so said Charles Spurgeon in the mid-19th century. We could update the quote giving it the punch it needs in our day: “Learn to say no. It will be of more use to you than a […]
Who’s the Arrogant One?
The king wrote the law. He gave it to his sons. They were to take it throughout the land. The first went to the people. In each village he proclaimed, “Hear ye, hear ye, I bring you the words of the king. His word is law. You must obey it. You will be held accountable. […]
A Parched Church
He said “church sucks.” The surprise isn’t the off-color phrase he used; no doubt, many others have said it before. The surprise is who said it. He’s the pastor of the One Love Church in Eugene. He and his church are in the midst of their “Church Sucks” campaign, sending out mailers to hundreds of […]
What’s Your Kid’s Name?
My parents knew a Harry Butts; I knew an April Showers—really. What were you thinking Mr. and Mrs. Butts?—you, too, Mr. and Mrs. Showers? A few days ago in Slate.com, Joseph Norwood wrote an article entitled A Boy Named ‘Humiliation’: Some Wacky, Cruel, and Bizarre Puritan Names (September 13). Norwood doesn’t strike me as a […]
Dark Mornings
There is no way around it; Psalm 88 is a dark psalm. Life is hard at the beginning. “My soul is full of troubles and my life draws near to Sheol [death]” (v. 3). Life is hard in the middle. “I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow” […]
Just Two Things
“Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck,” cries David the beginning of Psalm 69. It has been a difficult week; death tragically and unexpectedly descended upon our church. “I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold,” continued the king. We know what that feels like; some of […]
All Things are Ready, Come (Luke 14:17)
delivered by C. H. Spurgeon on May 13, 1877 (condensed and edited for clarity) This invitation was first of all made to the Jews, but it seems to me to have a peculiar appropriateness to ourselves. It is later in the day than when first the Lord was here, and therefore the supper time is […]
A Seagull Soars
The following is chapter 24, the final chapter in the children’s series, If They Could Talk, the story of our redemption as it unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. This is the story of the promised new heaven and a new earth and the promise of being face to face with God forever in Revelation 21 […]
Wisdom from an Owl
The following is chapter 23 in the children’s series, If They Could Talk, the story of our redemption as it unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. This is the story of Pentecost in Acts 2. My Friends, His plan seemed so foolish; yet in the end, it was so wise. Who but the Creator God could […]
A Gazing Cow
The following is chapter 22 in the children’s series, If They Could Talk, the story of our redemption as it unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. This is the story of Jesus’ ascension in Luke 24 and Acts 1. My Friends, He was here, He was there; forty days of comings and goings. He would appear; […]
A Cat’s Meow
The following is chapter 21 in the children’s series, If They Could Talk, the story of our redemption as it unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. This is the story of Jesus’ resurrection in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20. My Friends, I know there have been many dark days since the Fall; […]
A Mouse’s Tears
The following is chapter 20 in the children’s series, If They Could Talk, the story of our redemption as it unfolds from Genesis to Revelation. This is the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and death in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. My Friends, How did it come to this? How did it […]