Every Christmas season there is an increase in the number of people who ask me about Jesus and the Bible. This is partly because Christmas brings a non-church going crowd into church and it is partly because hurts, stresses and anxieties have a way of increasing in this season. One of the most common questions I am asked goes something like this: “Can we really … Continue reading Christmas And The New Testament Canon: How We Can Address Some Hard Questions

Lights up or down in worship? At what age do kids join us in ‘big church’? How long is too long to preach? Cajon or drums? Acoustic or electric? Jeans or khakis? VBS or Sports Camp? It’s hard to imagine a Christian reading this article who hasn’t disagreed with another Christian on these topics. You may have left a church over some of them. Why … Continue reading How Much Does Context Affect The Call?

When I first moved to Mississippi from Italy, this native Floridian felt like he was moving from one foreign country to another. Eleven years later, this place is home and I am so thankful for every day I have had here. Like any state, it has its baggage, but as I leave Mississippi, I am overwhelmingly thankful for my time here. We have lived in … Continue reading A Farewell (And Thank You) to Mississippi

Outside of parenting, I can’t think of an area where more Christians feel guilt than prayer. We all know we can pray more often, more specifically and more Biblically. So the guilt level is already high and then Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for all people. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercesssions and thanksgivings be made for … Continue reading Pray For All People?

There are times in ministry when it feels like nothing you are doing is working and all your efforts are for naught. When you spend a hundred hours with a married couple only to see the marriage dissolve. When you listen, pray and cry with a member in depression only to learn they have committed suicide. When you pour yourself into a disciple only to … Continue reading When Ministry Feels Like Building Sandcastles As The Tide Comes In

One of the things I enjoy most about my job is teaching the Bible. The truth is that much of the Bible is clear and the average reader doesn’t need help to understand what is going on. There are, however, parts of Scripture that can be confusing without certain tools at our disposal. A few months ago, I tried to apply some of these tools … Continue reading Decoding The Prophets

Last week, a landslide referendum in Ireland legalized abortion in that country in the first twelve weeks of a pregnancy. This referendum, being hailed as a step forward in the progress of that country, is anything but. Before I proceed, I want to acknowledge that this is a painful and personal subject for many. I have walked with women in my church through the emotions … Continue reading Why The Ireland Referendum on Abortion Is Not A Step Forward

A prominent pastor this month encouraged us to ‘unhitch’ ourselves from the Old Testament and many Christians became familiar with the term Marcionism, an ancient heresy that claims the God of the Old Testament is different than the God of the New Testament. Plenty has been written on that situation, but it made me think a bit more about how we identify heresy. How can … Continue reading The Root of Christian Heresy

As I scanned my Facebook feed this morning, I noticed a barrage of posts hailing Donald Trump’s decision to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. They weren’t hailing it for political reasons, but Biblical ones. The Jews, they argue, are God’s chosen people and God has earthly promises for them alone as a separate plan of redemption from His plan for Christians. This … Continue reading A Biblical View of the Embassy Move to Jerusalem

To the members of Grace Bible Church, By God’s grace, this summer will mark six years that I have had the privilege of being a pastor at Grace Bible Church. Pastoring at Grace has truly been one of the great privileges of my life. So, it is with sadness, excitement and, above all, deep gratitude that I am resigning my position as Executive Pastor at … Continue reading A Letter to Grace Bible Church