As I’m working on part three in our series on Heaven in the Real World, I’m reminded of Walter Brueggemann’s belief that preachers and teachers must always keep in mind the two tasks of responsible sex educators: (1) Don’t tell students more than they can handle. [...]

Eugene Peterson believes that the task of being a Christian in our world today is intricately connected to the words that fall from our lips. Whether we preach in front of a community of faith, or offer a word of hope to a co-worker caught in the trappings of addiction and denial, the words we [...]

I used this introduction last night to get a hearing on Paul’s tough teaching regarding the man having sex with his stepmother in I. Cor. 5. At the onset of the worship time I told people I was going to “stretch their imaginations tonight . . . .so stay with me ’til the end.” Here’s [...]

No other modern public speaker does what the preacher tries to do. The trial attorney has glossy photographs and bagged evidence to hand around; the teacher has blackboards and overhead projectors; the politician has brass bands and media consultants. All the preacher has is words, (Barbara Brown Taylor in The Preaching Life, 81).
JGO (Josh Graves [...]

The week leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only two weeks I find difficult to prepare to preach/teach. I am anxious to watch movies, get in extra work-outs, watch RC hoop games, spend time with family, etc. This week, we’re starting a new series at Rochester Church called Visitation. It’s our version of [...]

This weekend was eventful. I flew to Mission, Texas Friday (just north of the Mexico border) to speak at the North Mission Family/Youth Conference for a group of churches in that area. I only get asked to do one or two youth events a year. I’m fine with that. I really am. I personally think [...]