More Than You Can Chew

 

 Have you ever volunteered for something only to realize it was much more of significant task than  what you anticipated?

I recently had that happen. It wasn’t exactly “volunteering” but I had accepted the offer to teach a class at Grace College as an adjunct professor. The class would be a two-week module after the regular semester had finished.

At one point I was told the class would be cancelled due to low enrollment, only to find out a month before that it was back on. I knew it was a theology class – and I love theology – so what could go wrong?

Well, as I prepared for this, I began to realize I may have bitten off more than I could chew. Four hours a day, Monday through Friday, for two weeks, lecturing and discussing Christian theology. I realized the students would be “drinking from a fire hose” in many ways – and I might just be doing the same if I wanted to make the course engaging and encouraging.

I must give props to the former teacher and local pastor Pat Park for giving me his time-tested insights on how to lead these students. The students themselves were not Bible majors but needed the course for their future graduation. They proved to be good listeners, have inquisitive minds, and were very teachable.

We came together as professor and students to grapple with complex doctrines like the character of God, the nature of sin, and what Scripture says about future events/ It was not easy as a teacher nor I’m sure for the students to work through dense but fundamental elements of faith in the schedule we had.

Having completed the course, the applications and greater understanding from the class proved to be worth the density of the course pace. From my teacher’s seat, it helped me streamline my communication to effectively teach biblical truth in a way that made sense. I had the freedom to share different perspectives on certain subjects and that helped us all learn how to think through our faith. I find that the “how” is just as important as the “what”. If the steps are sound arriving at a conviction or conclusion, then I can trust the Spirit of God to have led no matter the results or conclusion that was actually reached.

All in all, there are times in life when it can be a healthy thing to “bite off more than you can chew”. If we don’t push ourselves, will we really ever grow or mature? If we don’t try hard things, what sort of accomplishments will we ever achieve?

These questions will readily apply to many facets of our lives: education, professional development, relationships et al. Let me directly apply it to our spiritual lives. As we all head into this summer, my prayer is that it would be a summer of growth for you. I would encourage you to push yourself to understand God in a greater way. Challenge yourself to spend more time in his Word, prayer, service, and worship. Read big books that feel like that “fire hose”. Study those faith concepts that aren’t quite crystal clear to you. Engage in small group or individual discussions that are geared to apply the things of Jesus.

My hope is that you will look back on that journey much like I do with this theology class – recognizing the hard work it took but grateful for the rewarding results that came from it.

 

 (this article was originally written for our local Mail-Journal paper in Milford)

What Moved Me in 2025

We have arrived at the end of another calendar year. 

2025 was quite a year for sure. 

Over the last couple weeks, as I've been reflecting on all that transpired in and around my life, I found myself remembering all the big and little things that moved me.

As he was fighting a losing battle with cancer some 30 some years ago, Jim Valvano gave a rousing speech that is famous for his ending mantra, "Don't give up, don't ever give up". At the beginning of this address, he mentions three things people should do every day of their lives, "laugh", "think", and "have our emotions moved to tears". If we do that every day, Valvano states, "that's a FULL day".

It is in that vein that I offer this list of things that stand out to me from 2025 because they made me laugh, think, or moved me to tears. Some of this list was inspirational, some involved pain, some of these things just left an imprint on my soul. Some were a mix of all of the above and more.

I offer three general things and then three specific things that really moved me this past year.

Generally: 

• Family - Our boys are growing up, with both now in elementary school. The development of their character and personality is a joy. Make no mistake, parenting two boys under 8 is exhausting but has special moments all the time. Family life was also filled with challenges too. My wife had significant health struggles. My mom did as well. Family is an area I see God constantly refining me in my own sanctification. But in my weakness, He is strong. 
• Funerals - I recently attended the memorial service of the former president of my alma mater, whom I'd had as a professor and whom I'd also worked under for a time. He was a man of sterling faithfulness and we celebrated that. That experience reminded me of the other funerals I officiated and attended this year. Good people with good legacies. Life is fleeting and I appreciate the reminder that this life is not all there is - and that Jesus has conquered the formidable enemy we all have.
• Pastoral Ministry - Tomorrow marks 13 years of serving at Milford First Brethren Church. It has been so rewarding, such a blessing. We are a smaller, aging congregation with plenty of limitations and weaknesses. But we make a difference in our community and beyond. It is such a joy to see God work in people's lives and to be a conduit for God's grace to those inside and outside the church. And even personally, God has shown up as I've led, studied, and proclaimed his Word at various points. Those moments keep me going.

Specifically:

• Andrew Peterson's "A Liturgy, A Legacy, & the Songs of Rich Mullins" album. This album is a recording of a live concert he did along with numerous musician friends as a tribute to the CCM legend. Mullins has long been an artist whom I deeply respected and the older I get, the more I appreciate his catalog. Few people could credibly take on this kind of tribute while matching the "heart" of Mullins - and Peterson is certainly one of those few. The entire album honors and celebrates one of the all-time albums in Christian Music history and leaves you not just grateful for Mullins - but drawn to Jesus. And that's just how Rich would have wanted it.
• "Downstairs" - Twenty One Pilots - This song stands on a drastically different end of the musical spectrum as Peterson/Mullins but it reflects a similar spiritual perspective. Twenty One Pilots are a band who transparently wear their heart on their sleeve in so many of their songs all of their art. This one is particularly raw, and humble, and lamenting, and doubtful, and worshipful. These lyrics in particular will both haunt me and be part of my own prayers for a long time:

You can have all I've made and all I've ever known
You can have both my lungs if you ask me so
'Cause I-I-I want to be the one after your own heart
And I-I-I might doubt the process like I doubted the start

        When you can find multiple videos of vocal coaches and musical analysts getting emotion                     themselves over the content and construct of this song, you know it is something special.

•  "Wake Up, Dead Man" - This movie, now streaming on Netflix, is the best portrayal of the Christian faith that I have seen in a long, long time. It pulls no punches in its honest portrayal of the strengths and the weaknesses of Christianity (western, evangelical and Catholic). It is impossible to miss the critique of the growing power-hungry passion that has taken over many who call themselves Christian. It is also impossible to miss the beauty of Christ-like service and devotion that is portrayed too. This is the third of the popular "Knives Out" franchise that features detective Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig) solving a crime in a dramatic fashion. This installment however flips the narrative on its head from what we've come to expect from these "whodunnit" movies. And in doing so, it leaves room for the truth of the Gospel to land powerfully. The director Rian Johnson is a former evangelical who no longer professes to be a Christian. In the hands of another with his background, one would expect a scathing rebuke. Instead, he offers an accurate depiction of the way of Christ in the face of brokenness, corruption, and shame.

Bold Humility

 

I was recently at a pastors conference and the speaker challenged us to embrace to seemingly opposite qualities – boldness and humility.

In many ways those are opposites. But they can be complimentary in the lives of pastors and non-pastors alike. 

I won’t rehash someone else’s ideas but the point was to have boldness and confidence in proclaiming Jesus and serving him. At the same time, we must also embrace humility as we imitate Christ’s selflessness in the way we live. 

Bold humility is not an oxymoron when we define our terms. Our confidence is not an arrogance founded on our own merits. It is based solely on our risen Savior (see Philippians 3:7-11). Our humility is not a self-denigrating, “woe is me” attitude either. It is rooted in a gratitude for all God has done for us.

These twin traits can be balanced with a healthy self-awareness. It is easy to let boldness become pride if we lose sight of Christ our foundation. Being aware of our own hearts can operate like a thermometer, alerting us to when we’ve drifted too far into self-focus instead of being Savior-focused.

When in balance, we can boldly “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:14). As we press on, we can do so with a uniform of humility. As Peter says, “clothe yourselves with humility toward one another…humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

In our relationships, in our anxious circumstances, in our uncertainties, it is a courageous and bold endeavor to humbly trust God and his will.

One new song expresses this balance of boldness and humility well. Twenty One Pilots are not a Christian band per se, but in their single “Downstairs” they begin and end the song by saying “Cause I want to be the one after your own heart, and I might doubt the process like I doubted the start.” The bold declaration to be marked as David, “a man after God’s own heart” is tempered with the humble admission of doubt and struggle.

Maybe in your spiritual journey you don’t resonate with that tension. I certainly do. Yet I will continue to boldly trust Christ, even in the struggles. Because I know they exist in part to humble me and remind me of my need for God’s grace.

God’s grace is such a beautiful gift, granting us confidence but keeping us humble. May we all live boldly and humbly for Him.

Getting Rid of Good People

Milford First Brethren, the church I’ve pastored for 12 years, is not a large church by any metric. We love each other, love our community, and generally try NOT to run people off.

Recently we had to do just that. Ultimately though it is an occasion to celebrate. Having said that, maybe I should elaborate a little further. 

Duane and Lori Harmon have been faithful members of our church for a while now. Even before attending our church, one ministry passion they had was routinely serving on work team projects at Riverside Christian School in Lost Creek Kentucky. Riverside was created in 1905 by The Brethren Church as an educational ministry to those living in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky. The school seeks to be a beacon of light in an area ravaged by poverty and economic downturns.

Earlier this year, the Harmon’s felt the Lord directing them to a bigger commitment to serving the school. Apparently, a sermon I preached on Abraham following God into the unknown was the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’. Shortly after, they told me and announced to our church that they were moving down to Kentucky for the school year. Duane, a retired licensed plumber and farmer, is focused on building and grounds projects while Lori is working in family and community relations position to better assist the families of the students.

So given the obvious move of the Spirit, we had no choice but to “get rid of them”. At the end of August, we officially said goodbye, praying for and commissioning them for this work. I hate to see good people leave, but I am so thankful for the reason for their departure.

God has already been providing for them, from a friend’s semi-truck trailer to carry all of Duane’s equipment in one trip, to the work being accomplished, and of course the friendships that are being made.

In the middle of all of this, I had to remind myself and our congregation, we are not “losing” the Harmon’s. We are sending them off to serve as our ministry hands and feet. I would not normally say this, but it fills my heart with joy to get rid of these good people.

 

 

 

For the Skeptic

  (The following is an article I wrote for our local newspaper, the Mail-Journal) 

I am an admitted skeptic. It feels naturally ingrained but maybe I took all the “critical thinking” exercises too seriously in my education. Maybe life has taught me it is more fun to play the “devil’s advocate” role. 

This character trait can certainly make living into my vocation as a pastor interesting for sure. My own natural skepticism certainly makes me sensitive to those outside my Christian faith – and our world does not lack for critics and doubters of Christianity. Unfortunately, we Christians can provide them with plenty of ammunition unnecessarily with our failures, our stupidity, and our hypocrisy. On that front, my goal is to simply do my best to avoid those kinds of mistakes myself.

In cases of skeptics who question more fundamental aspects of the Christian faith, my goal is to listen to their questions and consider how I might answer or how the Church has historically responded to those issues.

Some Christians seem afraid of hard questions or apparent inconsistencies or irrational claims Scripture poses. I mean, walking on water? Who’d believe in that?

Instead of being afraid or avoiding skeptics, I find encouragement in the story of James in the New Testament. I’m not talking about either of the disciples who had that name, I’m referring to Jesus’ brother (Matthew 13:55). James goes through a pretty fascinating transformation if we trace his story through the New Testament.

source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James%2C_brother_of_Jesus

He and Jesus’ other siblings are described as concerned about Jesus’ early Messianic activities in Mark 3:31-35. They are even described as unbelieving in John 7:5. Yet as the story of the early Church unfolds in the book of Acts, James appears as a main leader of this new Christian movement (Acts 1:14, 12:17, Acts 15:13-21, see also Galatians 2:9-12).

So what do we make of the change? How did that happen?

We are not given all of the details, but it is pretty obvious what the inflection point was.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that after he rose from the dead, Jesus “…appeared to James, then to all the apostles”. We are not given any recorded details about it, just that it happened.

Incredibly, encountering the risen Jesus changed James from being a skeptic to a committed follower. He, along with the rest of his family are identified as participating in the disciples’ gatherings in the days after Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:14). His writings made it into the canon of Scripture (see the book of James). His character earned him the privilege to be the overseer of the church in Jersualem until his death in the early 60’s AD. Church tradition shares that he was such a prayer warrior, he was known to have “camel knees” – calloused from spending so much time in prayer.

Jesus’ resurrection may be the most “unbelievable” of miracles for any skeptic. But what if it is true? James’ testimony sure supports its veracity.

So for any skeptic out there, let me encourage you to look into Jesus’ death and resurrection. It won’t solve all your problems or answer every difficult question. But it will introduce you to the One who knows and cares about your problems and understands your questions. And he’s done something quite miraculous about those things.

Jesus Changes Things

 (The following is an article I wrote for our local newspaper, the Mail-Journal) 

One of the most powerful books in the Bible is also one of the shortest books in the Bible.

There are several short books in Scripture I could be referring to, but the one I have in mind is Philemon. It is a letter that I have grown to love, written by Paul to a friend named Philemon.

I call it one of the most powerful books for a few reasons. First, it contains the seed principles that led to the abolition of slavery in the modern world. Second, it deftly navigates a complicated and potentially combustible situation. And third, Paul navigates this successfully because he maintains a focus on Christ and what it means to follow him.

If you don’t know the background, Philemon had a slave in his household in Colossae named Onesimus who apparently stole from his master and ran away. Onesimus connected with Paul who was imprisoned in Rome. Onesimus came to faith in Jesus and was now returning with one of Paul’s representatives back to Colossae and his master.

Can you feel the tension of that situation?

Philemon could demand harsh punishment of Onesimus. Paul could demand Philemon obey his instructions. But we don’t get any sense of authoritative pressure or ultimatums from this letter.

Instead, we see Paul calling Philemon to remember the faith he professes and the Christian community he is a part of. Paul graciously highlights how Jesus completely changes how we relate to one another. Any demands he might make, any entitlements Philemon may assume – they are all set aside because of the unity and love we have for one another as followers of Jesus.

“I could order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love” is what Paul says in verses 8-9. Philemon shouldn’t view him as a servant any longer, “but better than a slave, as a dear brother…as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord” (vs.16). In verse 21 he adds, “confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.”

Jesus changes how we relate to one another. We should not demand all the rights we are entitled to over and against others. We should respond to offenses with forgiveness rather than revenge.

Warning: forgiveness like what is being called for here is NOT EASY. In theory everyone affirms forgiveness as a virtue. But to give grace to people who’ve materially or emotionally hurt us? That takes a work of God in our hearts and minds. And it usually takes time to process.

Justice may still be called for and consequences may still be necessary to enforce. Forgiveness and justice are not mutually exclusive. Notice Paul promises to repay Philemon for anything he has lost in vs. 19. But when sincere repentance is present, restoration and reconciliation can rebuild what has been lost or broken.

Jesus changes how we relate to one other. The labels the world applies, the records people keep, the rights others demand – all can be set aside when the transforming redemption of Jesus makes its presence felt in our lives.

 

 

Not as it seems...

"Don't judge a book by its cover."

"Appearances can be deceiving."

"Things are not always what they seem."

We have all heard those those common platitudes for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways. I think I found a new context for them though: Easter.

We are working through Luke's Gospel at our church and the way Luke has been portraying Jesus' final days - and even his death - has reminded me of how with God's plan, things aren't always how they appear to be. 

A couple parts stick out to me as "seeming" to be one thing but a totally different reality is true. 

Jesus' Trials - Who is in control?

This is certainly true of Jesus' arrest and trials (Luke 22:47-23:25). The Sanhedrin lead the way to apprehend Jesus and they do their best to trump up charges against him. Pilate and Herod also get their chances to evaluate him as political authorities. While they find him innocent, it is the crowds (compelled by the religious leaders) who stir things up so much that Pilate finds no other choice than to go against his judgment and send Jesus to the cross. 

In all of this, Jesus remains steadfast. He quickly shuts down Peter's attempt to fight the arresting party in the Garden. He affirms the truth even when it makes things worse for him. And as he hangs on the cross, it is Jesus himself who gives up his own spirit. His life is not taken from him, he relinquishes it on his own accord. 

He wrestled with his destiny in the Garden. Now, when his end draws near, he willingly and willfully completes his agonizing mission.

Appearances can be deceiving. The political powers may seem to be controlling these events but God is the one pulling the strings. As John records Jesus saying, 
"Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above."

Jesus' Death - An Unjust, Tragic Loss of Life?

From just the facts of this case, Jesus' execution by the Romans seems to be an awful travesty of justice. Herod and Pilate all find him innocent. One of the criminals hanging next to him recognizes his righteousness. And the centurion in charge of the crucifixion realizes Jesus was the guiltless Son of God. 

Even in the death scene itself, Luke describes a scene actually filled with grace, hope, and life. Jesus comforts (and warns) the mourners on his way to Golgotha (23:26-31). He forgives those who are killing him and grants salvation to the penitent thief dying next to him (23:32-43). 

Beyond the physical event, we know that spiritually his death purchases our redemption, satisfies God's justice, and provides eternal life through faith (Mark 10:45, Rom. 3:25, John 3:16). 

The cruel injustice that he endured provided our salvation. 

Saturday and Sunday - Dark Times of Sorrow?

Luke ends the Crucifixion account by mentioning the women disciples who were observing his death and his burial. He pivots immediately to the resurrection by describing these same women as they prepare to anoint Jesus' body after the Sabbath has ended.

Their actions/reactions are normal and honorable. And yet their grief is about to be transformed. 

For it was over Saturday and the early morning hours that God was vindicating his Son and redeeming humanity. By the time the women get to the tomb, Jesus was raised - and when he was raised, he once for all conquered sin and death. 

What seemed like a terrible loss was actually an occasion for the greatest victory God could have accomplished. 

The Passion Week and Easter itself offer so many examples of how God's plan included reversals, upended expectations, and reality not being how things appeared to be. 

Paul has this in mind when he says in 1 Corinthians 1:

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

I am used to the changes of moods that accompany this Holy Week. Christians appropriately transition from somberness, to lament, to celebration as we remember what Christ went through. However this year, these highlights from Luke's Gospel have given me a more consistent joyful perspective. We can be eternally grateful that in the apparent "defeat", God was working out our redemptive victory.