Imaginary EnemiesBut I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. -Psalm 13:5 Everyone has enemies… I assume. In our neighborhoods and workplaces we might experience adversity. Someone might steal your newspapers or take credit for your work. Every once in a while a co-worker might actually try to…
Pulpit Test
German pastor and martyr Dietricht Bonhoeffer said this while spending 1930 in New York: In New York they preach about virtually everything; only one thing is not addressed, or is addressed so rarely that I have as yet been unable to hear it, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross, sin and forgiveness,…
Rehabilitation What do addicts need? Twelve steps? Medication? Therapy? One of the greatest lessons we have learned from our Russian brothers is from their rehabilitation ministry. We visited one of over 40 rehabilitation centers they operate in northwestern Russia. We met Vasili (pictured above, in the center), and Alec (between Engle and myself). Vasili…
Progress Wednesday and Thursday here in St. Petersburg consisted of our Russian brothers delivering short sermons which we would evaluate. This year the sermons were outstanding. I cannot overstate the degree of improvement in the sermons from 2009 until now. The reason they were so great is the men preached on one primary passage, took…
Tuesday in St. Petersburg This was an excellent day of class. Our teaching and discussion revealed that “the brothers” here are not only grasping concepts, but applying them. Engle did great sharing his perspective on preaching as a congregant and elder. The men had many questions for him about our church, and he answered very…
Making and Maturing 