As we wrap up this year, I want to thank you for allowing this blog into your life. Of all the demands on our time and attention, I do not take it lightly that you would stop by and participate in the things that are posted here. I am grateful! And I pray that you [...]
Honestly, I like the word relevant, but I also have a problem with it. It is subjective. When someone I know, who believes like I do and shares my philosophy of ministry says, “I want my ministry to be relevant”—I know what they mean and I agree. They mean, without compromising truth or God’s Word, [...]
The December edition of the Spiritual Leadership Podcast is now live. It’s a little late, but you were probably too busy before Christmas to listen to it any way, right? The lesson is entitled “10 Characteristics of a Healthy Church” and it focuses on the health of a church as opposed to the growth. So [...]
“Oops… I’m sorry…” This has become my opening line more than I care to admit. The scene, on a sick day, is something like this. I’m convalescing in some reclined position, propped up by pillows in bed or on the couch, without much strength. It’s mid-morning. Dana has awakened long before me, helped the kids [...]
Perhaps you’ve come across this blog in the past 12 months. If so, this post is for you. Over the past few years, I’ve written a number of articles about creating an annual planner for life and ministry and about personal productivity. I thought it might be helpful to re-post these with titles, summaries, and [...]
If there’s one thing that modern culture, technology, and the evolutionary world view have killed in even our Christian teenagers, it’s a life vision. Today, we desperately need an army of student ministry leaders to awaken vision in the hearts of young people. While some teens have some small form of vision for their future, [...]
Since diagnosis, I’ve been making a list—reasons to thank God for allowing me to have this trial. This post has been in the works for 10 weeks. And by human reason, it sounds insane to say, “Thank you for cancer.” But go with me for a moment. This Thanksgiving I really am thanking the Lord. [...]
Lately, especially while battling cancer, I’ve been greatly encouraged by devotionals from Oswald Chambers “My Utmost for His Highest.” Nearly every day the Lord has blessed my life by something profound from this man’s heart. So in this post, I’m shot-gunning a collection of quotes that have been significant to me and why. I hope [...]
Correction on the November Spiritual Leadership Podcast—the one I previously wrote about was actually October’s lesson. November’s lesson is about Balancing Pastoral Priorities and was taught originally at Spiritual Leadership Conference 2010. This lesson investigates the roles and responsibilities of the Pastor and breaks down some practical and biblical input on how to balance those [...]
Growing the Church in Biblical Stewardship was October’s Spiritual Leadership Podcast! You can listen to it above or subscribe to the Spiritual Leadership Podcast through iTunes. This month’s lesson is a great resource on how to lead the church to growth in the basics of biblical stewardship. There are a lot of unhealthy leadership techniques [...]
What a great privilege and delight it is to be a part of Striving Together Publications! I thank the Lord for a great team of co-laborers who work with excellence to produce biblical resources for local church ministry and for personal spiritual growth! We are happy to introduce to you two new books that we [...]
Here’s a quick list of things I wish I could say to every young adult! 1. You are of eternal value and significance because God doesn’t make junk. Regardless of who mistreated you, what lies you’ve been told, or how bad your past has been—you have a future and God has good plans for you. [...]
Pastor Chappell read this powerful quote in yesterday’s morning message, and when I heard it I determined to post it during my first treatment. It’s a convicting, powerful view of the life of discipleship. I pray it will encourage you! Jonathan Edwards, the great preacher and theologian whom God used to bring revival to colonial [...]
Note: This post is both related to encouraging biblical principles as well as current events in my life, so I’m posting it here as well as the Hodgkins blog. I pray it will be useful to you. Will a living man complain against God? Hold that thought, we’ll come back to it. It’s the night [...]
I’ve had five conversations that went almost exactly the same this week. A battle-worn college student says, “I’m not even sure what I’m doing here. I feel like I’m doing nothing and headed nowhere. I’m not where I want to be, and I’m really thinking about what I should do…” The conversations were so similar, [...]
