I am the Lead Pastor of Essential Church in Hudson, FL, Assistant Professor of the Ministry Department at Trinity College of Florida, and just trying to be the Husband and Father that God wants me to be.
There’s implications on this question. Those who hold to the Rapture often point to certain parables to promote their beliefs. Likewise those who don’t believe in a Rapture of the church vehemently disagree with their interpretation. Well I don’t particularly want to enter the theological battlefield of the “Rapture,” I don’t mind trying to be … More In Parables Is It Better to be Taken or Left?
The Resurrection is the great separator, the great divider. The Resurrection either happened or it didn’t. Jesus either died and rose from the dead, or the Bible is lying, and we are believing in a lie. 1 Cor 15 rightfully claims “and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still … More If the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Didn’t Happen, What Did Happen?
Barabbas has captivated our imaginations for years. The epic Ben Hur (The Chuck Heston one, not the recent one no one saw) is built on the idea we have no idea who this guy was and thus could be anyone. Now, that movie tries to make him out to be a hero of some sort, … More 5 Things You Might Not Know about Barabbas
The Preachers League is a team of preachers within a church who join together to teach truth, justice, and the Gospel-way. This teaching team works in concert to bring the Word of God to those in the congregation. Assembling a Preachers League in your church can be incredibly valuable. It can help prevent burnout, make … More The Preachers League
Everyone hates being disciplined. Especially adults. (Especially me.) I have always felt that I’ve gotten in trouble for everything wrong I’ve done. I once got a ticket for going 66 mph in a 60 mph zone. Are you serious? I was super-nice, respectful, and everything. I got in trouble in school a lot for talking … More Be Thankful for Discipline, Especially Gods’
Language matters. Language communicates ideas and ideas matter. Language can convey love or hate, hope or fear. Language matters. Anytime I talk “politics” I always want to preface where I’m coming from. Let me try to share without using labels. I think government should let me do whatever I want as long as I don’t … More The Language of Conservatives and Liberals
This is a guide for people who want to stop. I don’t know what statistics I want to believe. Ballpark guess, if you grew up with a computer (i.e. under 35), I think 95% of men were addicted to pornography at some point, and I guess probably about 25% of women. I’m no expert on … More Step-by-Step to Overcoming a Porn Addiction
There’s only 2 ways for a Pastor to get on the evening news – a sex scandal or a money scandal. (If you feed a 100,000 homeless people or cure cancer you might make the religious section of your towns second biggest newspaper.) I’ll deal with avoiding sex scandals some other time. Oh wait, I … More Why Pastors Should Never Touch Church Money
I think we take the idea of having the faith of a child to mean that we just have to believe whatever someone tells us. We just need to have the faith of a child. Children believe that storks brings babies, that a fat guy can fit down a chimney, and that if you give … More What My Kids Taught Me about Having the Faith of a Child?
The word hope is used almost 150 times in the Bible. It’s a common theme. I think it’s also sometimes misapplied today. In Romans 5 we read, “we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint.” As I head down … More There’s Always Hope… but Hope in What?
Joe Allotta 