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The Cross: A Call to Mastery or Servanthood

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The cross represents many things to the Christian community and beyond. Ultimately it signifies the price paid for our atonement and is a symbol of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Moreover, the cross embodies the qualities of service, suffering, and sacrifice while it characterizes unconditional love and a call to reconcile and be reconciled both to God and each other. These we see lived out in the life of Jesus, and resident in the message of the gospel.  The cross is also an emblem of Christian faith. It is seen on the rooftops of churches and sometimes hung on the walls of places of worship. Some wear it around their necks or even have it tattooed to their bodies. Others gesture its sign as part of their liturgy.  Decidedly it remains an iconic symbol for the Christian faith, and historically has been painted on canvasses, murals, and even shields taken into battle. Several have looked upon it as a source of inspiration while others use it more superstitiously to
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Humility Leads to Thanksgiving and Worship

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"Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position" James 1:9. Over the years of walking with the Lord I have discovered a few things about myself. When I first began this journey I purposed in my heart to put my old ways behind me forever. As I journeyed on I discovered that wasn't as easy as I thought. I soon discovered that getting rid of the old behaviours was one thing while getting at the root driving them was quite another. Even Jesus proposed that cleaning the outside of the cup wasn't enough (Mt. 5:27-30). Like an onion, the Holy Spirit revealed to me over time layers of self that were in need of sanctification ... transformation of my thinking, attitude, and beliefs that did not mirror His was in order. However, I was unable to do it alone. I needed Holy Spirit intervention. What has kept me throughout this journey has been the mercy and faithfulness recorded in scriptures. In a paradoxical kind of way, or perhaps
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Response To Aging Pastors

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By Todd Gaddis (Followed by My Response) The average pastor in America is fifty-four years old , which is ten years older than what it was just 25 years ago. Yet, many pastors find themselves sitting by silent phones once they turn 50. This means an unknown number of average-aged preachers await phone calls that never come, while search committees look to fill pulpits with younger pastors. Should this change? I think it should. As a pastor now in my 50s, I’ve considered at least four reasons churches should call as pastors men in their 50s. We’re mature. Certainly after 27 years as a senior pastor I still have a lot to learn. But thank God I’m not what I used to be. My heart has softened and my skin thickened over the past three decades. I’m now more sensitive to the things that should bother me and get less frustrated concerning the things that shouldn’t . As a young pastor, I recall getting all wound up about denominational battles. Currently, I cou
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