I just really thought I was going to find the treasure

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 First Drop Alex and Briggs’ graduation from Drop Insertion School arrived with a mix of excitement and nostalgia. As the ceremony concluded, they found themselves receiving hardy congratulations and saying farewell … Continue reading "Chapter 14 – Live Drops and Ranger Transition"

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at all four Gospels to see how Jesus tested His disciples. So let’s get started. (Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document)  Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:35–44, Luke 9:12–17, John 6:5–13 By now the hour was already late and the day neared its … Continue reading " The Discipleship Test – #96"

This blog post was first published in September 2021 on Sentergy. I am now including it also on my own blog in a slightly modified version. This blog post is part of a series of publications on Pauline Emulation. Pauline Emulation is a hermeneutical framework that the apostle Paul is presented in Scripture as theContinue reading "“Preach the Word”: Homiletics or Evangelism? "

Should we use methods and tools in our evangelism, discipleship, and church planting work, or are methods "pragmatic?" Listen in to hear what the Bible says about methods, necessary traits of good methods, and dangers of methods. 

What one tool would you choose for your daily walk with Christ?

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31 The Classroom The week leading up to the drop pod simulations was characterized by the usual pre-dawn torture sessions with … Continue reading "Chapter 13 – Drop Simulations"

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at all four Gospels to see how Jesus worked hard but also made time to rest. So let’s get started. (Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document)  Matthew 14:13–14, Mark 6:30–34, Luke 9:10–11, John 6:1–4 Meanwhile, the apostles gathered around Jesus and … Continue reading "Work Hard, Rest Hard – #95"

Many times we subconsciously have wrong beliefs about grief, such as that crying is weak or that self-reflection is self-centered and unproductive, which leads us to avoid, stuff, or deny uncomfortable emotions, and miss out on the abundant life the Lord Jesus offers to us. Listen in as we share 6 reasons you should intentionally work to grow in healthy emotional expression.

In a previous blog post, I argued that Timothy was not a pastor (click here). Like that one, this article continues my posts on Pauline Emulation as a missiological hermeneutic. See my article in the Midwestern Journal of Theology (click here) to read my defense of Pauline Emulation as a valid missiological hermeneutic. When TimothyContinue reading "Was Timothy an Apostle?"

Insights and quotes from Rodger Shull's new book

Many times we subconsciously have wrong beliefs about grief, such as that crying is weak or that self-reflection is self-centered and unproductive, which leads us to avoid, stuff, or deny uncomfortable emotions, and miss out on the abundant life the Lord Jesus offers to us. Listen in as we share 6 reasons you should intentionally work to grow in healthy emotional expression. 

But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Luke 8:15 One Day at a Time The blaring PA system pierced the pre-dawn stillness, “First Call, First Call! Rise and shine Jellies! Day … Continue reading "Chapter 12 – Sculpted and Refined"

In South Asia, some Christians take offense when we use particular Urdu or Arabic terms in our worship and witness to Muslims. Hazrat Isa al-Masih and Allah are the terms that create the most significant discussion. This section explains why we use these terms. Using “Hazrat Isa al-Masih” to Refer to our Lord Some haveContinue reading "Can we Use Allah for God? Hazrat Isa al-Masih for Jesus?"

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be combining the gospels of Matthew and Mark to see the downward spiral of poor decisions.  So let’s dive in. (Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document)  Matthew 14:3–12, Mark 6:17–29  For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, … Continue reading "Spiraling Out of Control – #94"

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. He made Hazrat Adam (PBUH) and his wife Howa (PBUH). He placed them in a beautiful garden and gave them authority over everything in the garden. But He gave them one command: “Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”Continue reading "The Message of Hazrat Isa al-Masih"

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We (rightly) study the book of Acts and particularly Paul's missionary journeys to learn the biblical pattern for mission work. However, in most missions contexts, we foreign missionaries shouldn't function as the "Apostle Paul." We are not the strategy! Instead, we should function in a catalytic role similar to Barnabas. Barnabas was an encourager, advocated for the Apostle Paul when other believers didn't trust him, went out with Paul on their first missionary journey, and then begins falling […]

Listen to how a student ministry reset its vision from thousands to millions.

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. Proverbs 16:18 Landing on Rinart 3 The Dominion’s thrusters roared to life, signaling the final descent into Rinart 3’s atmosphere. Wade peered out the observation deck, his heart racing with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. This was it – the next step in his … Continue reading "Chapter 11 – Dropship Insertion School"