The good news, though, is that we can truly base our identity on who we are in Christ, not based on our performance or the opinions of others. It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” It is vital to keep in mind that when other people don’t act rightwhen they are ugly or indifferentit is typically a reflection of who they are, not a reflection of who you are. ...read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:02:202022-07-22 07:57:11Avoiding the Ditches of Pride and Inferiority
A friend recently shared an important truth… that we need to know how to handle it when the call seems small. Perhaps you’ve had workers in your church doing what you know is valuable work, but they are unsettled, thinking they’re supposed to be doing something they consider more important. Pastors can also feel frustration because their church or budget isn’t as large as they’d like. …read more
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:02:202022-07-22 07:57:11When the Call Seems Small
A philosopher once observed, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” We might dispute his conclusion, arguing instead that man’s need for God is the deepest need of human nature. However, I think we would all agree that peopleincluding ourselveshave a need to feel valued and appreciated. Mark Twain expressed how much the affirmation of others meant to him when he said, “One compliment can keep me going for a whole month.” …read more
I recently ministered for Pastor Jerry Piker in Laurie, Missouri. Over the past 20 years, Jerry and Shirlene have built a great church in a small community (the sign as you drive into town says, “Population 663”). Jerry has a servant’s heart, and like many pastors, he’s done whatever it’s taken over the years to get the job done (mowing the yard, maintenance, etc. in addition to preaching and caring for the people). …read more
Leading in the Midst of Adverse Circumstances A couple of years ago, I was in an auto body detailing shop in Tulsa. Like many businesses, they had a sign above […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:02:172022-07-22 07:57:11Leading in the Midst of Adverse Circumstances
Why Giving Stops – Overcoming Cirrhosis of the Giver by Rev. Tony Cooke I became concerned a few years ago when I read some very startling statistics about how Christians […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:332022-07-22 07:57:11Why Giving Stops – Overcoming Cirrhosis of the Giver
I first saw this piece in “A Contemporary Handbook for Weddings & Funerals, by Aubrey Malphurs and Keith Wilhite (Kregel Publications). I’ve updated it slightly in a couple of places. […]
In listening to some modern voices, you would get the impression that the Word of God is given only for encouragement and enlightenment. Some teach that if believers will simply be enlightened as to who they are in Christ, then everything else in their life will automatically fall in line. If that were the case, then Paul would have said that Scripture was simply for enlightenment, but he did not say that. … read more
Who’s Trying? I heard about a critic who had visited various churches and listened as preachers made such statements as: “Don’t try to earn your way into heaven.” “Don’t try […]
What God is Not Learning Through the Process of Elimination Rev. Tony Cooke The article below is adapted from the audio CD series, “The Wonderful Nature of God. To learn […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:302022-07-22 07:56:45What God is Not – Learning Through the Process of Elimination
What Killed Lincoln’s Mother (And Why it Matters to Us)? Tony Cooke Click here to see a full picture of Nancy Hanks Lincoln’s gravestone. Click here to see a picture […]
Warning Signs of Financial Manipulation Tony Cooke The Apostle Paul was painfully aware of “so-called” ministers whose motives and methods were driven by greed. He made it a point to […]
Weak Leaders Rev. Tony Cooke There’s a lot to be said for strength. Given the choice, I think most everyone would say they prefer strength over weakness. Everyone wants their […]
Treasure that is New – Treasure that is Old Tony Cooke I was in a church recently, and during the worship service the congregation sang some of the newer worship […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:282022-07-22 07:56:44Treasure that is New – Treasure that is Old
Trophimus and Our Need for Resilient Faith Tony Cooke If you ask most Christians about the identity of Trophimus, you will probably get a blank stare or a shrug of […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:282022-07-22 07:56:44Trophimus and Our Need for Resilient Faith
Application: The Key to Transformational Communication by Tony Cooke At one time, there were two great orators in ancient Greece: Cicero and Demosthenes. It is said that when Cicero finished […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:272022-07-22 07:56:44Application: The Key to Transformational Communication
Reflections from the Tour (Paul’s Journeys – March 1-10, 2006) By Tony Cooke As we toured the sites connected with the ministries of Paul and John, I was deeply impressed […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:262022-07-22 07:56:44Reflections from Paul’s Journey Tour in 2006
Trade-Offs, Pay-Offs, and Rip-Offs Tony Cooke Life is full of trades. When you were a kid in the school lunchroom, you may have traded your peanut butter sandwich for someone […]
The Challenge Rev. Tony Cooke Someone once said, “There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet.” Many of the extraordinary achievements […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:252022-07-22 07:56:44The Challenge by Tony Cooke
Throwing Out the High and Low Scores by Rev. Tony Cooke When I was young, I remember watching certain Olympic events, such as figure skating and gymnastics, where judges were […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:252022-07-22 07:56:44Throwing Out the High and Low Scores by Rev. Tony Cooke
TCM is Ten Years Old! This month marks the 10-Year Anniversary of Tony Cooke Ministries. On May 18, 2002, I headed to Virginia to preach our first official TCM service. […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:242022-07-22 07:56:43TCM is Ten Years Old!
Teflon or Velcro Tony Cooke “I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.” Did you ever hear that said on the playground as a […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:242022-07-22 07:56:43Teflon or Velcro by Tony Cooke
A Tale of Two Basins Tony Cooke There are two stories in the New Testament that occurred within twenty-four hours of each other, and they create an amazing contrast of […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:232022-07-22 07:56:43A Tale of Two Basins by Tony Cooke
Tact and Diplomacy – Keys to Building (Not Burning) Bridges Rev. Tony Cooke A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:222022-07-22 07:56:43Tact and Diplomacy by Tony Cooke
Taking Out the Garbage Rev. Tony Cooke Everyone’s trying to make it in life, aren’t they? A Woman’s Morning Prayer: “Dear Lord, so far today I am doing alright. I […]
https://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.png00Tony Cookehttps://tonycooke.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TCMLogo2022-300x138.pngTony Cooke2014-10-15 19:01:222022-07-22 07:56:43Taking Out the Garbage
Avoiding the Ditches of Pride and Inferiority
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeThe good news, though, is that we can truly base our identity on who we are in Christ, not based on our performance or the opinions of others. It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” It is vital to keep in mind that when other people don’t act rightwhen they are ugly or indifferentit is typically a reflection of who they are, not a reflection of who you are. ...read more
When the Call Seems Small
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeA friend recently shared an important truth… that we need to know how to handle it when the call seems small. Perhaps you’ve had workers in your church doing what you know is valuable work, but they are unsettled, thinking they’re supposed to be doing something they consider more important. Pastors can also feel frustration because their church or budget isn’t as large as they’d like. …read more
Approval, Appreciation, and Affirmation
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeA philosopher once observed, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” We might dispute his conclusion, arguing instead that man’s need for God is the deepest need of human nature. However, I think we would all agree that peopleincluding ourselveshave a need to feel valued and appreciated. Mark Twain expressed how much the affirmation of others meant to him when he said, “One compliment can keep me going for a whole month.” …read more
What About Bob?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeI recently ministered for Pastor Jerry Piker in Laurie, Missouri. Over the past 20 years, Jerry and Shirlene have built a great church in a small community (the sign as you drive into town says, “Population 663”). Jerry has a servant’s heart, and like many pastors, he’s done whatever it’s taken over the years to get the job done (mowing the yard, maintenance, etc. in addition to preaching and caring for the people). …read more
Leading in the Midst of Adverse Circumstances
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeLeading in the Midst of Adverse Circumstances A couple of years ago, I was in an auto body detailing shop in Tulsa. Like many businesses, they had a sign above […]
Why Giving Stops – Overcoming Cirrhosis of the Giver
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeWhy Giving Stops – Overcoming Cirrhosis of the Giver by Rev. Tony Cooke I became concerned a few years ago when I read some very startling statistics about how Christians […]
In Whose Hands Are You?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeI first saw this piece in “A Contemporary Handbook for Weddings & Funerals, by Aubrey Malphurs and Keith Wilhite (Kregel Publications). I’ve updated it slightly in a couple of places. […]
What is Scripture For?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeIn listening to some modern voices, you would get the impression that the Word of God is given only for encouragement and enlightenment. Some teach that if believers will simply be enlightened as to who they are in Christ, then everything else in their life will automatically fall in line. If that were the case, then Paul would have said that Scripture was simply for enlightenment, but he did not say that. … read more
Who’s Trying?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeWho’s Trying? I heard about a critic who had visited various churches and listened as preachers made such statements as: “Don’t try to earn your way into heaven.” “Don’t try […]
What God is Not – Learning Through the Process of Elimination
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeWhat God is Not Learning Through the Process of Elimination Rev. Tony Cooke The article below is adapted from the audio CD series, “The Wonderful Nature of God. To learn […]
What Killed Lincoln’s Mother (And Why it Matters to Us)?
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeWhat Killed Lincoln’s Mother (And Why it Matters to Us)? Tony Cooke Click here to see a full picture of Nancy Hanks Lincoln’s gravestone. Click here to see a picture […]
Warning Signs of Financial Manipulation
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeWarning Signs of Financial Manipulation Tony Cooke The Apostle Paul was painfully aware of “so-called” ministers whose motives and methods were driven by greed. He made it a point to […]
Weak Leaders
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeWeak Leaders Rev. Tony Cooke There’s a lot to be said for strength. Given the choice, I think most everyone would say they prefer strength over weakness. Everyone wants their […]
Treasure that is New – Treasure that is Old
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeTreasure that is New – Treasure that is Old Tony Cooke I was in a church recently, and during the worship service the congregation sang some of the newer worship […]
Trophimus and Our Need for Resilient Faith
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeTrophimus and Our Need for Resilient Faith Tony Cooke If you ask most Christians about the identity of Trophimus, you will probably get a blank stare or a shrug of […]
Application: The Key to Transformational Communication
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeApplication: The Key to Transformational Communication by Tony Cooke At one time, there were two great orators in ancient Greece: Cicero and Demosthenes. It is said that when Cicero finished […]
Reflections from Paul’s Journey Tour in 2006
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeReflections from the Tour (Paul’s Journeys – March 1-10, 2006) By Tony Cooke As we toured the sites connected with the ministries of Paul and John, I was deeply impressed […]
Trade-Offs, Pay-Offs, and Rip-Offs
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeTrade-Offs, Pay-Offs, and Rip-Offs Tony Cooke Life is full of trades. When you were a kid in the school lunchroom, you may have traded your peanut butter sandwich for someone […]
The Challenge by Tony Cooke
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeThe Challenge Rev. Tony Cooke Someone once said, “There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet.” Many of the extraordinary achievements […]
Throwing Out the High and Low Scores by Rev. Tony Cooke
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeThrowing Out the High and Low Scores by Rev. Tony Cooke When I was young, I remember watching certain Olympic events, such as figure skating and gymnastics, where judges were […]
TCM is Ten Years Old!
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeTCM is Ten Years Old! This month marks the 10-Year Anniversary of Tony Cooke Ministries. On May 18, 2002, I headed to Virginia to preach our first official TCM service. […]
Teflon or Velcro by Tony Cooke
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeTeflon or Velcro Tony Cooke “I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you.” Did you ever hear that said on the playground as a […]
A Tale of Two Basins by Tony Cooke
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeA Tale of Two Basins Tony Cooke There are two stories in the New Testament that occurred within twenty-four hours of each other, and they create an amazing contrast of […]
Tact and Diplomacy by Tony Cooke
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeTact and Diplomacy – Keys to Building (Not Burning) Bridges Rev. Tony Cooke A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the […]
Taking Out the Garbage
/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony CookeTaking Out the Garbage Rev. Tony Cooke Everyone’s trying to make it in life, aren’t they? A Woman’s Morning Prayer: “Dear Lord, so far today I am doing alright. I […]