Image: Erick Hodge

“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:20–21, ESV). ...

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In part one of this blog, I shared how Germany, the home of the Protestant Reformation, is now only marginally evangelical, with just three percent of citizens identifying that way. I shared some thoughts why I believe this happened including a dead gospel preached in dead ...

Image: Derwin L. Gray

This past week, I had the honor of partnering with the Willow Creek Association in Erfurt, Germany for a leadership conference. Erfurt is a beautiful city, with rich culture and marvelous food. Erfurt is also where Martin Luther, one of the fathers of the Reformation, attended ...

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The 23rd Psalm is one of greatest pieces of literature ever penned. But more importantly, it is also God-inspired scripture that flowed from the heart of King David during a dark, painful time in his life.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, ...

Image: Erick Hodge

When we accept each other and our differences, we give God glory. Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (ESV). The foundation for this acceptance begins when we understand God’s acceptance of ...

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I remember my family life while growing up in San Antonio, Texas as being tattooed by chaos, conflict, and consistent pain. My older relatives were often haunted by drug and alcohol abuse, violent relationships, and illegal activities. Like a bomb that explodes, the pain ...

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After each day of elementary school, I had to run home because of bullies who threatened me and because of a gang that lived in a house near my school. I knew that if I could just make it home, I would find refuge. I felt safe there because my older cousin would be at home ...

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Sometimes winter lasts too long.

The winter I speak of is not referring to the weather, but rather a season of life when pain, suffering, disappointment, confusion, and helplessness fall on you like snow on a cold, gray February day.

Sometimes life is like spring when ...

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Whether you are a church planter, pastor, or other Christ-follower, I hope you will seriously grapple with the words of my good friend and doctoral advisor, New Testament scholar Scot McKnight. In his book A Community Called Atonement: Living Theology, he shares some powerful ...

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In Romans 1:1, Paul says he is a servant to Christ. The word servant in that text is the Greek word doulas. This word means that I have a master and I am submitted to him, but in that submission, I am freer than I have ever been. All of us have been born into spiritual slavery. ...

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Each one of us will have several “moments of truth” that will alter the trajectory of our lives. For me, one of these defining moments came in 1998 when I had been a Christ-follower for about a year.

I was overwhelmed with condemnation.

I was marred by guilt.

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There is a subtle, seductive disease of the heart that often disguises itself as a holy ambition for the glory of God.

What is this spiritual heart disease? It’s called finding your identity in ministry. Instead of worshiping Jesus, you worship the ministry Jesus ...

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Sometimes God, in his sovereign wisdom, will place us in a situation or allow circumstances to descend upon our lives that will batter and shatter us. We will find ourselves in an emotional storm that will wring our hearts. Often, we will be asked to do something for the ...

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God hears the cries of his people.

God hurts when his people hurt.

God bottles every tear that his people have shed (see Ps. 56:8).

As we experience life, we will most likely know the feeling that “God is hiding his face” (see Ps. 30:7).

Perhaps it will ...