Paul tells a remarkable, inspiring story in his second letter to the Corinthian church. The Jerusalem church has been hit by an economic depression and Paul is collecting funds to send back to the believers.  He's meeting a bit of resistance from the Corinthian church.  Although the church was in a wealthy region, some seemed reluctant to give.  Perhaps it's an instinct to pull back when times get tough. To inspire the Corinthians, Paul tells the story of the Macedonian church.  No two churches could be much more different.  While the Corinthians were wealthy and affluent, the Macedonians were more lower to middle class. What do we learn? And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave…

Over the years I had a number of occasions where I had to discern what God was leading (or asking) me to do.  Here are a few ways to best understand what God’s will may be in your situation … What does God’s word say about my situation?  If God's word is clear about a situation or decision, do what it says.  If not, read on. Have you faced a similar situation before? If so what did God reveal to you at that time?  (Hint: If you made a mistake don’t repeat it!) If the decision is difficult, seek godly counsel … Proverbs 11:14. Make the decision a matter of quiet and earnest prayer … James 1:5. Don’t ignore the common sense that God has given you. Take your time. Do not make hasty and impatient decisions. Anticipate that the passage of time will either open or close a door…

If you watch an average amount of TV, by the age of 65 you’ll have watched 9.5 years of television.  If during that same time period you went to church once a week, you would have attended about 4 months worth of church services. And we wonder why the way of God sometimes seems upside down. G.K. Chesterton once wrote: "Paradox is truth standing on its head calling for attention."

William Borden was a young man who found Jesus under the ministry of Dwight Moody, one of the greatest evangelists of the 19th Century. He was also an heir to the wealth of the Borden family (best known for selling condensed milk). After graduating from Yale and then Princeton Theological Seminary, Borden felt called to be a missionary to the Muslims of China.  Unfortunately, he died of spinal meningitis in Egypt while training for the mission field.  He was only 25 at the time of his death. After his death, Borden's Bible was found and given to his parents.  Inside it they found the words "No Reserve" and a date placing the note shortly after he renounced his fortune in favor of missions. After being diagnosed with meningitis, he had written the words "No Retreat." Shortly before his death, he added the phrase "No Regrets." May God give this generation…

I just received my free copy of Primal by Mark Batterson yesterday in the mail.  My blog (the one you're reading!) was selected as one to review and post comments on the book. Besides getting a free book, I'm excited because Mark Batterson is a pastor that I've come to appreciate vicariously over the last few years.  He is the lead pastor at National Community Church in Washington D.C.  He's one of the new thought leaders for today's pastors.  I track him on Twitter and via his blog -- short of  having coffee with him, I feel like I've gotten a pretty good feel for who he is and where his heart leads.  And I like it. So, I'm looking forward to posting comments and reviews throughout the next few weeks.  If you want to get a head start, you can purchase the book directly from the publisher.