I have been told before that my preaching can sometimes sound more like a commentary than a sermon. A Bible commentary explains the meaning of a passage by focusing on the language, historical background, and theological framework of the text. Its goal is to show how Scripture fits together and what it teaches about God,…

Many of us experience seasons of intense pressure. Whether it’s a pastor, a single mother or father, or a family struggling financially, people can feel the weight of their circumstances as outside forces press in on them, leaving them feeling trapped and even hopeless. There are also internal pressures, anxiety, fear, loneliness, and similar struggles,…

Isolation and solitude are often confused, but they are very different. According to the Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling, isolation is a defense mechanism in which a person separates certain thoughts or memories from the emotions normally attached to them. This happens unconsciously as a way to avoid the pain or conflict those emotions might bring. As…

I shared in one of my sermons recently that I finally have good credit. It made the congregation and me laugh, and rightly so. It’s not typical for a pastor to talk about his financial situation, but sometimes I end up breaking those unspoken rules. Although it was funny in the moment, it made me…

This month is known as Pastor Appreciation Month. During a recent meeting, the congregation took time to encourage me and the elders, which honestly came as a surprise. As much as I need encouragement, it is always a little hard for me to receive it that way. Not because it is wrong or should not…