Quando John Wooden treinou o time masculino de basquete da Universidade da Califórnia em Los Angeles (UCLA) – ele liderou o time em dez campeonatos nacionais – ele era um defensor de detalhes e um proponente do trabalho em equipe. Ele até ensinou seus jogadores o preciso modo de colocar as meias e de amarrar os sapatos, para prevenir a formação de bolhas. Wooden insistia que isso ajudaria a manter os jogadores saudáveis e em forma no campo. … read more
Jesus said, “…Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). In Greek, the word “iniquity” actually describes lawlessness. This verse could literally read: “…Because lawlessness shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” The word “lawlessness” is plural in the Greek text, which tells us Jesus was foretelling a time when lawlessness would escalate around the world. In this verse, “lawlessness” refers to the actions of an individual … read more
What computer software do you use to assist you in your Bible study and sermon preparation? In addition to software that you might pay for, are there free websites that are helpful to you also?
In the world and even in the church today, there are different thoughts on what real love is. The world usually thinks of love as a strong feeling of affection. Many dictionaries will also agree that love is a warm or strong feeling of affection. Biblical love is quite different. Jesus did not tell the disciples to go and live according to the old Mosaic commandment, but rather he gave them a new commandment. In other words, we will not find the model for this love in the Old Testament. … read more
If a bridge is out, and someone puts up a sign informing me of that, is that a negative thing? Does a person really love me if they see me heading toward catastrophe and neglects to warn me? Jesus said more about hell than any other person in the Bible, and yet he was (and is) the greatest expression of love ever known or revealed to man. Vance Havner relates, “When I pastored a country church, a farmer didn’t like the sermons I preached on hell. He said, ‘Preach about the meek and lowly Jesus.’ I said, ‘That’s where I got my information about hell.’” Was Jesus just “selling fire insurance?” … read more
Vance Havner afirma, “Popularidade matou mais profetas de Deus do que a perseguição jamais fez”. Eu acho que a isso também pode ser aplicado a busca por popularidade. Richard Niebuhr observou que os temas essenciais da fé cristã estavam sendo arrancados do cristianismo, por meio da teologia liberal. Ele resumiu (em 1937) um anêmico e neutralizado “Evangelho” nas seguintes palavras … read more
In the eyes of our children, this world can be a scary place. They see and hear news about earthquakes, volcano eruptions, floods and school shootings. They have friends whose parents are getting divorced or are dying of cancer. In the rural area of the Rocky Mountains where we live, every summer brings the threat of wildland fires. But our family’s perspective is markedly different than that of our neighbors. … read more
Reading the story of Joseph beginning in Genesis 37 stirs our soul to rise to new possibilities in life! Rising from the humble life of a shepherd’s son to becoming second in command over all of Egypt is something that makes for a “too-good-to-be-true” story! The mention of Joseph’s name lifts our thoughts to new levels and stirs our imagination to see what may be possible for us to attain in our lives. There are a lot of things about Joseph that are very appealing to many of us. When we think of Joseph, we think of him as a dreamer, highly favored, an interpreter of dreams … read more
When John Wooden coached men’s basketball at UCLA (he led the team to ten national championships), he was a stickler for details, and he was a very strong proponent of teamwork. He even taught his players the precise way to put on their socks and to tie their shoes to help prevent the formation of blisters. Wooden insisted that this would help keep the players healthy and on the court. Even when it came to putting on their socks and tying their shoes, Wooden was essentially saying, “We don’t do it that way; we do it this way.” … read more
Is there something you wish people understood about pastors and pastoring? This doesn’t have to be about you personally, but something that would help people better understand, relate to, and receive from their pastor.
Durante esse mês de abril, 2018, tive o privilégio de viajar e ministrar em cinco nações – Inglaterra, Suíça, Líbano, Alemanha e Chipre. Durante esse tempo, lecionei 33 vezes e ministrei para líderes de aproximadamente 45 congregações diferentes. Abaixo, seguem algumas fotos e pequenas descrições do que ocorreu em cada país. … read more
Vance Havner asserts, “Popularity has slain more prophets of God than persecution ever did.” I think that could also be applied to the pursuit of popularity as well. Richard Niebuhr noted that essential themes of the Christian faith were being stripped from Christianity through liberal theology. He summarizes (in 1937) an anemic, neutralized “gospel” with these words: “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.” I think that Niebuhr encapsulates the four areas … read more
We are considering dropping our mid-week “sanctuary service” and offering small groups instead. I would be very interested in hearing from other pastors who have done this type of thing. Did it work well or not? What is the best way to do it? What potential pitfalls should I be aware of?
Recentemente, eu e Lisa celebramos o meu aniversário de 59 anos em Warner Robins, Geórgia. Estávamos na companhia de bons amigos, Pastor Dave e Kendall Watrous. Posso dizer que foi um dia muito bom. Na parte da manhã, eu lecionei em um seminário sobre Timóteo (nunca me canso de tais seminários); tive uma celebração com cupcakes após o almoço, e, em seguida, fomos assistir ao novo filme Paulo, Apóstolo de Cristo. Certamente, em todo filme bíblico, os diretores tomam certa liberdade artística e criativa – o que é esperado. … read more
If there is one series you have taught that had the most significant impact on your congregation, what was it? What was the topic, and what impact did it have?
Somos chamados! Quer tenhamos sido chamados para sermos pregadores e estarmos atrás do púlpito ou tenhamos sido chamados para cumprir outra tarefa, esses e outros versos indicam que o chamado de todo crente é ser sal, luz, embaixador, testemunha, servo e uma benção. Isso não é somente para aqueles que possuem a “profissão” de ministros, mas todo cristão foi chamado em tempo integral! Um cristão nunca deve falar “eu não sou chamado” como desculpa para evitar responsabilidades que são compatíveis com o chamado de todo crente. … read more
When we are weak, He is strong! The following article is an excerpt from Jim Cobrae’s upcoming book, Followship: Pastoring in His Presence. This book will be released at the Pastors Gathering, hosted by the Rock Church in San Bernardino, CA (May 15-17, 2018). Click here to learn more about the Pastors Gathering, an outstanding conference that will greatly benefit pastors and their staff members. … read more
We can’t hide God! If we walk with Him, eventually who He is will flow out from within us. There’s a word in the English language many are not acquainted with, wafting, which means to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water. When we walk with God, He smoothly releases Himself through us and over circumstances in people’s lives. God longs to be released. … read more
In every biblical movie I’ve seen, the directors have taken certain artistic creativity and liberties, and that is to be expected. There are always some things I would have presented a bit differently, or statements that I would have re-worded, but that is not what I want to focus on in this review. The great value of this movie is that it graphically presents the intense persecution faced by early believers in the Roman Empire. To be honest, it’s not the most comfortable or cheery movie that you will see. One reviewer refers to it as “gritty,” and that is an honest assessment. … read more
How important is it for me to have relationships with other ministers in my community? What about relationships with other ministers who are not in my community, but are friends? Honestly, I stay busy enough with my own staff and my own church that it’s not easy to find time for meaningful relationships with peers in ministry. What is the value, and how much effort do other pastors put into their relationships with other ministers?
We are called! Whether we have been called to be a preacher and stand behind a pulpit, or something else entirely, many Scriptures indicate the calling of every believer to be salt, to be light, to be ambassadors, to be witnesses, to serve, and to be a blessing. I don’t say this relative to being a “paid” minister, but every Christian has full-time calling! A Christian should never use “I’m not called” as an excuse to avoid accepting responsibilities that are consistent with the calling of every believer. … read more
Durante minha adolescência, eu passei três verões como salva-vidas em uma piscina pública. Refletindo sobre tal experiência, percebi que há diversas similaridades entre o exercício de salvar vidas e o serviço ministerial. Acredito que tais semelhanças possam fornecer percepções importantes. A seguir, seguem algumas lições a serem consideradas… … read more
Some people tend to sit and watch as achievers reach out to do the impossible. But if you are going to join the ranks of those achievers, you’ll have to do more than just sit around and talk about it. You’ll need to say yes to what the Lord is urging you to do. You cannot accomplish what God has called you to do all alone! Look around you! Look at the people God has placed around you to help you fulfill your dream. Don’t ignore them, thinking you can do it alone. … read more
The Lord put it on my heart to share this testimony of my survival against all odds and how living by God’s principles for life has made all the difference. Little did I know that Wendy and so many were praying for me. By this time, less than eighteen hours after I crashed my jet ski and went facedown in the lake, intercession was going up for me all over the world. Word had spread so fast. But as Wendy drove to the hospital that morning, she had no idea in what condition she would find me. … read more
Last night a young man was carried to our Gospel Festival. He was totally paralyzed and unable to walk. As I prayed for the sick en masse from the platform, our Lord Jesus touched this young man. He stood up and began to walk, completely healed. Now to understand this, here are the reasons and dynamics as to why and how such miracles take place. 1. Our Lord Jesus is risen from the dead, and He is alive today. That is why He does the same things today that He did 2000 years ago. … read more
