Reflections on Prodigals
A prodigal recklessly spends, not counting the cost, is wasteful, often with another’s possessions or with trust capital or with her own life.
An Invitation to Fast
An invitation: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic I am inviting the New Hope Church family to set aside Wednesdays as a day of fasting and prayer during which we seek God’s mercy for these uncertain and grievous days. -Pastor Matthew Responding to an existential threat from an approaching army, one ancient monarch, Jehoshaphat, called his people to “fast throughout […]
Further Thoughts on My Greatest Leadership Challenge
I have given expression to my greatest leadership challenge before–leading myself, and it is a dynamic that I continue to want to steward well. With that in mind, consider these thoughts rooted in a recent reading of John the Baptist’s simple words in John 3:30, where he declares, “He (that is, Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease.” When I […]
My Statement to New Hope Church about the Yanez/Castile Tragedy
Here is the statement I made this weekend in our worship services at New Hope Church in Minneapolis: “Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.” These are the words uttered in the ancient days by Samuel when he discerned that God was trying to get his attention. “Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth.” People will be debating the verdict in […]
Things Needful for Personal Healing
In the throes of helping the hurting, a handful of things have come to mind throughout the years that help move a person confronted with the reality and gravity of sin toward a place of healing and wholesomeness. Perhaps these will be helpful for you or someone you know: There needs to be recognition of the impact of sin. This […]
Reflections on the Authenticity of the Book of Jonah
The Book of Jonah is one of those pieces of biblical literature accustomed to taking a beating from skeptics conditioned to not only dismiss it but to regularly mock those willing to uphold the idea of its historicity and authenticity. Indeed, it is a common phenomenon for students to find within the classrooms of even supposedly Christian colleges teachers who find […]
