Below is a downloadable PDF of a chart illustrating the different ways we experience life depending on whether we're operating with the heart of an orphan or with the heart of a son or daughter. heart-of-an-orphan-vs-heart-of-sonshipDownload
Identity
TJS Podcast – Men of God, Part 3: Brenden’s Story (Episode 66)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Ze4j1F5gqNm5GcFXtAULx?si=ZD9fnuUERH6ta9I7DYrZdQ Today we're continuing our conversation about men and fathers, and the issues that conspire to keep us from being the men that God wants us to be in the world and for our families. And we're having a conversation today with my friend Brenden Taylor. The truth is that almost every man I know … Continue reading TJS Podcast – Men of God, Part 3: Brenden’s Story (Episode 66)
TJS Podcast – What It Means to “Reign in Life” in Rom. 5:17 (Episode 63)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0XrfmDCdrLrZts7UXsbzKg?si=bjryfLFnTPC_LwwTLOQ6sA Today I want to try, in as succinct a way as I can, to explain a phrase Paul uses in Romans 5:17 that I think has caused a lot of confusion for folks. Paul talks there about how Christians will “reign in life.” Now, if we just pull that phrase up off the page, … Continue reading TJS Podcast – What It Means to “Reign in Life” in Rom. 5:17 (Episode 63)
TJS Podcast – The Story of the Bible, Part 3: Blessed to Be a Blessing (Episode 4)
https://open.spotify.com/episode/397LI6ILW1FAB2I6260wz7?si=touNwBnjSnaAp1JXvbzBqA On today's episode, we’re going to begin to trace the story of Israel. Understanding Israel's role in God's purposes in this world is foundational for understanding Jesus and the Kingdom of God. We can’t just jump from Genesis 3 to the Gospels and think that once we understand the sin problem we can move straight … Continue reading TJS Podcast – The Story of the Bible, Part 3: Blessed to Be a Blessing (Episode 4)
The Road Back to Church – Growing Up Methodist
I’m told that my maternal grandfather, Joseph Archibald Walters (1885-1956), was a godly and gentle man. I never knew him, as he passed away eight years before I was born. But the stories my mother told me about him always made him sound like the kind of man I would have liked. Grandpa was a … Continue reading The Road Back to Church – Growing Up Methodist
Calling & Vocation – Ten Questions
As you no doubt noticed from my post of the other day, it’s clear that I’ve spent considerable time over the past few years thinking deeply about calling and vocation. I’ve read numerous books, articles, essays, and blog posts about the subject. The latest piece came this very morning as I took my morning stroll … Continue reading Calling & Vocation – Ten Questions
Dreams, Expectations, and Calling
What would you do if you could do anything you wanted? I don’t mean what would you do if you had all the money in the world and could indulge every whim. I mean what would you do with your time . . . with your life . . . if you didn’t have to … Continue reading Dreams, Expectations, and Calling
Ministry Values
I've been thinking lately about what it would take to get me back into some kind of full-time ministry. I'm not quite there yet, but I'm considering it. But what would it take? There are parts of full-time ministry that I absolutely love. As I think back through my last ministry appointment, and some of … Continue reading Ministry Values
Identity and Expectations
When does trying to meet the expectations of others become unhealthy? Most of us have found ourselves on a wicked treadmill of being driven or consumed by the expectations of others. I'd like to suggest that the only way to not be constantly blown around by the expectations of others (or by the ridiculous expectations … Continue reading Identity and Expectations