Profoundly Grateful
One of the things I enjoy most is listening to Bible preaching on my iPod. Anyone who knows me for more than 5 minutes will get a sales pitch on a) why they should own an iPod and b) why they should be into podcasting. There is such a wealth of rich Bible preaching available […]
Shocked
That was my reaction to the news, delivered in an email from a friend while I was driving to Indiana yesterday (I don’t recommend the email/driving combo, nor does my wife, the nervous passenger). The email said, "Bears Got Cutler." Here’s the deal. I’m a huge Bears fan. I’ve always loved their teams. […]
Praising God for Freedom
Today is election day in Lake County, Illinois. And Gages Lake Bible Church is privileged to offer our facility to the county as a polling place. I’m always encouraged every election day by the dozen or so dedicated men and women who serve as election judges. These are folks who took time off from work […]
From Round Lake to Alabama to Rochester to Pakistan
I have a really cool story about my book, Teen People of the Bible. Several months ago, a Pakastani church-planter was in Rochester, New York, preaching at a church and raising funds for his mission. He is a native Pakistani pastor who conducts revival meetings and plants churches across Pakistan. While he was in Rochester, […]
Good Friday Musings
I just finished my Good Friday sermon and boy am I juiced for Friday. A few nuggets to chew on: What put Jesus on the cross? Was it the religous authorities? Was it the Romans? Was it our sin? Or was it something else? Find out on Friday. Some quotes and verses to meditate on: […]
Courage Still Exists
We Christians like to make a big deal about how our culture, America is really going to seed. And it doesn’t take much effort to see the effects of sin upon our society. Read the newspaper, listen to the radio, check your email or go online and visit the Drudge Report or other online sources. […]
Bulls-Celtics and Me
Okay, if you hate watching sports like my wife does, then you don’t have to keep reading. But I had to talk about the incredible first-round NBA series between the defending champion Boston Celtics and my hometown Chicago Bulls. Now I have to say that the last time I enjoyed an NBA game this much, […]
Choosing Our Heroes
There are a few stories swirling around in the culture, especially the Christian culture that raise a whole host of issues about who and how we as as evangelicals choose to represent our values. The stories about Sarah Palin’s family and the ever-shifting tempest over Miss California raise a whole host of issues. A few […]
On Moms and Mother’s Day
It was Mother’s Day last year that God brought me to Gages Lake Bible Church. I preached my candidating message and was blessed to have my mother and my mother-in-law (all the way from Texas–she refuses to miss a single big moment of our lives). I shared a message from the life of Hannah, whose […]
Same Kind of Different As Me
On the way down to South Carolina, we stopped in Knoxville, TN. There we found a fantastic Christian bookstore. As I was browsing the shelves, I saw the book, Same Kind of Different As Me, a book I’ve wanted to read for some time. Lynn Vincent, the collaborater, is a good friend of mine. I’ve […]
Soccer Camp
About a year ago, I went to an Awana training meeting to get more aquainted with the Awana leaders in our area. I also needed to brush up on basic Awana stuff, since it had been several years since I led an awana group. At the meeting the leader discussed a new ministry called, "High […]
Calling an Audible
Except for holidays, we’ve been going thru the Gospel of John on Sunday mornings. Its an incredibly wonderful study of Jesus’ life and mission. John has some of the most profound theology in all the Scriptures. It answers the question: "Who is Jesus?" Last week we wrapped up chapter 6 and I was all ready […]