Thankful for 35 Years of Ministry

After 35 years and a most gracious celebration this past Sunday of the privilege we have had to be a part of the ministry of Grace Bible Church, our family is grateful. So grateful. I have often said about our time at GBC, quoting the psalmist, “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant […]

What a Pastor Must Not Forget

Many years ago, I walked into my pastoral office for the first time, organized my books on my shelves, and sat behind my desk and began thinking about my first duties as a pastor. That week, the tasks included a hospital visit for a newborn baby in our church, a sermon to write, and a […]

God’s Expectations for Your Shepherds

God’s Expectations for Your Shepherds1 Peter 5:1-3 January 19, 2025 Tanner, I will share a job description for you that was shared with me (by my father!) on the Sunday I was installed as pastor at GBC; the privilege to be a pastor/elder is immeasurably great; and so are the responsibilities. You need to know […]

The Best books I read in 2024

I enjoy books. I like bookstores — new bookstores, old bookstores, used book stores, and digital (online) bookstores. I spend a significant amount of time and money in bookstores each year. And I read, too (though not as much as I’d like, typically). Several years ago, I began keeping track of what I read each […]

Counseling Like the Good Shepherd

Counseling Like the Good Shepherd: Leading Counselees to Rest in JesusJohn 10 A few years ago I was running some errands one afternoon when I noticed that one car tire was almost completely flat. I slowly made my way to a tire store. There was a long line and wait. Finally, I spoke to […]

The Best books I read in 2023

I’m a book collector. I’m not a vintage book collector. I don’t collect first editions. There aren’t many valuable books (as most people value them) in my collection. But I do like gathering books, purchasing books, and accumulating books. I like hard backs, paperbacks, and digital books (Kindle, PDF, and audio). I collect books because […]

Sermon: God’s Provision for His Church

God’s Provision for His Church1 Timothy 4:11-16June 12, 2022 In April of 2001, I received this email — Greetings from California! This is Keith Palmer… I heard through my in-laws that there may be an intern position opening up at your church this summer and thought I would write you to get some more information. […]

With every memory, giving thanks

The New Testament both exhorts its readers to give thanks and exemplifies the giving of thanks. Gratitude is a common attribute of the sanctified believer (in part because it is so unlike the natural man). Of all the things that might be said about giving thanks, I want to draw attention to two characteristics of […]

25 years ago today

Twenty-five years ago today, I was installed as pastor of my first church — the church I continue to serve as pastor, Grace Bible Church. At (almost) 28 years of age, I could hardly imagine then what it would be like to preach 25 sermons, let alone preach sermons for 25 years — in one […]

Pray for us

Three times New Testament writers ask their readers to pray for them: Brethren, pray for us. (1 Thess. 5:25) Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you. (2 Thess. 3:1) Pray for us, for we are sure that we […]

What’s wrong with this preaching tactic?

Recently a preacher (I refuse to call him a pastor) from Oklahoma received over 600,000 hits on YouTube for a portion of one of his recent sermons — for all the wrong reasons. The title of the video declares that this preacher “throws a hissy fit.” It’s worse than that. He degraded his people and […]

John Piper’s final weekend as pastor

From David Mathis at Desiring God: This Easter marks the end of an era at Bethlehem Baptist. John Piper served as the church’s primary preacher from July 13, 1980, until December 31, 2012. Since January 1 this year, he has been associate pastor, and his final task on staff is preaching this weekend’s Easter message […]

Desiring God Pastor’s Conference

The Pastor’s Conference presented by Desiring God beginning this afternoon will be live-streamed on the DG website. The schedule for the conference: Monday, February 4 2:30 – 3:30 PM EST, Mark Dever (Sponsored by Fidelis Foundation) Centrality of the Church in Disciple-Making 5:00 – 6:00 PM EST, Seminar with Mark Dever Connecting the Dots Between […]

Grab bag

Some helpful articles spotted recently: The timeline for the transition between John Piper and Jason Meyer as pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church has changed again. Read the plan and rationale from John’s pen. Addressing the same theme that I did in the post, “Satan and sin — two defeated foes,” Mike Riccardi writes about “Freed from […]

How to pray for your pastor

Have you ever wondered about how to pray for your pastor? Have you pondered, “What are the needs he has and what would be most beneficial for me to pray for him?” The apostle Paul’s requests for the prayers of the churches for him are fitting places to start (see Eph. 6:19-20; Col. 4:3-4 as […]