I had the privilege of listening to John Piper, speaking the last couple of days, at the Resurgence Conference in Seattle, WA. Wow! I hope that when I am his age, I have the same passion for God's word that he has. If you are reading this and you have never listening to John Piper preach from God's word, stop right now and log onto www.desiringGod.com. You will be glad you did.

As a pastor, it is easy to forget how important it is for the preaching of God's word to be first in everything I do. There is so much stuff that needs to get done that I often neglect the appropriate amount of time needed to prepare for every Sunday. What is worst, is that I might spend the appropriate amount of time of study, but the sermon still gets pushed to the end of the week. Piper has reminded me that the preaching of God's word must be first. For the most part, it is where most of the world is going to learn more about God and His word. It is vital that the sermon be priority!

I am sometimes asked what the importance is of having a conference budget line item for the staff of a church. It is for reason's like this week. I have been refreshed, revitalized and refocused on what needs to be primary in my ministry. I thank the elders of our church for seeing the importance of making sure there are funds for our staff to go to conferences so they too can be fed from God's word. I look forward to being back in Nashville tomorrow and I especially look forward to preaching God's word this week.

See you Sunday!

Should I or should I not preach through books of the Bibles? In today's culture, I often struggle with what to preach and what not to preach. I can preach topical series or through books of the Bible. Regardless, I always try to be expository in that I let the text speak in its context to whatever I am preaching.

Is there a need from time to time to do a topical series on something such as marriage? One would think so, but if I am preaching through books of the Bible won't the very topics that I cover relate to marriage?

Here is where my struggle lies: I want to be dependent on the word of God. I want to teach the people of Rock Springs Church to be dependent upon the word of God. When I am trying to determine what topical series I need to preach, am I not relying more on myself than I am God?

I listened to John Piper speak today and one thing I do know is that the Word of God is what will never return void. It is the word that cuts going in and going out and it is the word of God that must be proclaimed in order for people to be saved. I believe the answer to my question is that there is probably a need for both, but there should be some limitation to the amount of series that I do throughout the year. Certainly I am not advocating that it is my way or else, but I do want the word to do the preaching. My job is just announce it from the rooftops. I do know this: preaching is primary and I can't wait to preach again on Sunday.

Jesus made many claims starting with the two words "I AM." He was clearly stating that He was the same God of the Old Testament who named Himself to Moses as "I AM." Jesus attached to those two words others words such as "the Great Shepherd", "the Bread of Life", and "the light of the world".


Today, I realized that "I am the critic." I did not like coming to this realization, as it is this very type of person that I am not very crazy about. You know the person. He or she is always negative and critical about something. Well, if you pastor a church you know who comes to mind when I mention the critic.

I learned something new today, something I had never thought of and it came from C.J. Mahaney and his teaching at the conference in which I am attending. If you have time, take a look at 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 and you will read some words that you read often at the beginning of Paul's letters. He was thankful for the believers at the church of Corinth. Doesn't seem odd that Paul would say that does it? Then consider this: the church at Corinth is one of those churches that most pastors just soon had never pastored before. "Why?" you might ask. Keep reading.



Paul had a divine perspective of the believers at Corinth. Despite their shortcoming, in which they were many, Paul knew that they were believers and they would one day not only reach the full process of sanctification, but also glorification as they would enter into eternity with Jesus.



Now, let me explain where me being the critic comes in. Sometimes, it is hard for me to see that God is at work in a person's life, especially when that person seems to be struggling with some sin in their life. Sure Paul was going to correct the believers at Corinth, but it never stopped him from being thankful for them. Sometimes, I see only the critical without realizing the truth that God is at work in their life. So, what I realized is that I am the critic. I am the one who is quick to criticize but never takes the time to affirm the work of God in a person's life.

If you don't believe me, then just ask my family. They would probably be quick to tell you that I am very critical at times and have a hard time seeing the good in their life. I know the good is there. I see it clearly, but I don't speak it often. How is that for the confessions of a pastor?



So, here is my plan. I am going to start making a list of all the good works of God that I see in a person and make sure that I take time to affirm to people that God is at work in their lives. My guess is that a little encouragement will never hurt, but a harsh and critical word can. That last sentence sounds like a proverb doesn't it? Well, I am off for now, but before I leave I want to say something to the believers at Rock Springs Church. I see God at work in your life, so keep up the good work and to God be the glory!

It is very obvious that I don't get out that often. I am in Seattle, Washington right now attending the "Resurgence Conference" at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Seattle is like a foreign country to me. Most people don't understand my accent or at least what I am saying. I have made one trip overseas in my life and visiting Boston, MA and Seattle, WA is very similar to being in another country, at least from my perspective.

I visited "Pike's Market" this morning and found it very interesting. I loved sampling the smoked salmon from one of the fresh fish markets and got me a mocha from the first ever Starbucks this morning too. Finding a place to eat breakfast, though, was difficult. I finally found some shop and ordered a bagel with sausage, egg and cheese. Interesting that the shop was playing Christian music considering that only 2% of Seattle is considered to be affiliated with a local church. By any means, that is about all I have to share right now. I will share more later as I have time.

My professor, in my communications class, always said "words don't mean; people mean." It took me a while to understand what he meant by this statement. Of course, I have never been accused of being the smartest man in the world, but once I got it, it did make perfect sense. Most conflicts in life are caused by communication; either a lack of it, a misunderstanding, or too much of it. If however, most of us took the time to remember this basic principle of communication (words don't mean; people mean), then most conflicts could be handled more efficiently.

Have you ever meant to communicate something to a person, but your words communicted something completely different? Happens a lot. Happens to me all the time in my marriage. My brain runs a lot faster than my mouth. Although, those that know me well probably find that hard to believe. It is true, though. So my words, often times, dont' communicate what I am trying to say. I can only imagine how many "intense fellowship" moments could have been avoided if I had slowed down and tried to communicate better. Fortunately, my wife know this priniciple of communication, else we probably would not still be married.

It is always important to look at the heart of a person. Many times I may be frustrated over something someone else said, but once I look at the heart of the person and remember this basic principle of communication, I realize that there might a miscommunication.

So, remember this: The next time you are frustrated over something someone said remember to look at their heart and then remember this principle: Words don't mean; people mean.