Join The #CoronaBeardChallenge

I RARELY shave with a razor and keep an ongoing five o’clock shadow. After a few days it get itchy and doesn’t look very good (IMO). I HATE shaving! Maybe you can relate? During this time of physical distancing and quarantine most of us don’t have to shave as much… I’ve heard we look much smoother on camera, is that right?

So I had a thought…, “How can I combine growing a beard and helping others?” And, “How can I invite others to join me?”

Answer: The #CoronaBeardChallenge! I will outline the details of

Books I’m Planning To Read In 2019

The books I read in 2018 had a profound impact on my family, work, and ministry (top 10 reads from 2018 below).  Setting goals, having a plan, and making that plan a priority can go a long way in personal growth. The start of a new year provides a great opportunity to do just that. Books To Read 2019

These are books I already have that are on my list for 2019.

Why I’m Take A Break From Social Media

I'm going on vacation!

I love social media! It’s great for staying in touch, connecting with friends and keeping current with family. It’s great for news, networking, and resources. It can also be a huge waste of time. Or worse!

Break From Social Media

For the last two years I’ve taken a break from social media while on vacation. That’s been the best vacation decision I’ve ever made! This is not just a valuable principle to apply while on vacation… this has changed my life and could change yours too.

Is BiVocational The Future For Church Leaders?

My BiVocational Story And How You Can Take The Next Step To Greater Impact And Increased Income

In August 2014 my wife and I left a steady and somewhat comfortable position to launch into the uncertain waters of church planting. Our former church financially supported us for four months, but we otherwise didn’t know how we’d survive.

Bivocational

Contemplative Spirituality as a Way of Life

There are a number of challenging messages we hear on a regular basis that make living a Jesus-centered way of life very difficult. Last Sunday I shared a message in our (Restoration Church) Vision Gathering, entitled, “Recreating: Cultivating Contemplative Spirituality.” HERE is the audio.

Challenges to living a Jesus-centered way of life include…

  1. Happiness is found in having things (luxury lifestyle = happy)
  2. Get all you can for yourself, as quickly as you can
  3. Security is found in money, power, status, and good health
  4. Seek all the pleasure, convenience, and comfort you can
  5. God is irrelevant to everyday life
  6. There are no moral absolutes
  7. You’re not responsible for anyone but yourself
  8. Life on earth is all there is, YOLO!

No wonder it’s SO difficult to follow Jesus… isn’t it!

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

5 Benefits of Multiethnic Churches

THE Answer to the "Race" Issue of Our Time

Racial tension and conflict has flooded the news lately. Rather than point fingers and cast blame, I submit THE answer is quite simple. Not easy or quick, but transformational.

Racial tension

 

Racial (I prefer using the word ethnic) tensions exist in large part because we don’t listen to one another. It’s hard to understand someone who is different without knowing them. How many ethnically and culturally different people do we really know?

Change Your Posture, Charge Your Power

When I emphasize the DO-ing part of evangelism I struggle. I struggle to just DO it. There are a million things I’d rather DO than go out and talk to strangers about something most of them don’t want to talk about.

witness-logo-2

Can you relate? I’m sure you can. For one reason or another you just don’t tell people about Jesus. Or at least regularly. Maybe it’s been a minute since you brought someone new to a church service. Take heart, I want you to be encouraged!

Restoration Church Next Steps

Excited and scared! Those words describe how my wife and I feel about this season of our lives and ministry. We are excited to be on a church planting team, and to be raising prayer and financial support. We are scared as we step out in faith like never before! Have you ever felt that way? Here’s my personal update and a few lessons I’m learning that might help you navigate a similar season of life.

Restoration Church

After years of preparation that included doctoral studies, reading stacks of books, attending conferences, church planting boot camp, and formal church planter assessments… we’re stepping forward to be part of Restoration Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland!

I’m excited and honored to speak at Mount Pleasant Church’s Sunday afternoon service. The third Sun of each month they focus on Evangelism and Missions.

My message will come from Luke 10:25-37, “Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing!”

Date: October 19, 2014
Time: 04:00-5:00 p.m.
Event: Speaking Opportunity
Venue: Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries
Public: Public

BIG Transition: Plans to Launch Restoration Church!

Life is full of transitions. From each stage of physical growth, schools, friends, marital status, churches, housing, and jobs. The last few months has been full of BIG transitions for our family. It’s a lame excuse, but that’s what’s kept me from writing. It’s been WAY too long since I’ve written a post! I apologize for not keeping you updated! This post outlines the transitions we’re going through that will culminate in launching Restoration Church in October 2015!

Restoration Church