Darryl Dash's Blog, page 11

Finding Jesus in Ruth (Ruth 3)

Big Idea: We are helpless outsiders until Jesus, our divine Redeemer, pays the price to give us new life and his love.

The story of Ruth is one of the most beautiful narratives in the entire Bible. It’s rich with themes such as loyalty, kindness, humility, faithfulness, and redemption. It’s a rich tapestry of character qualities and moral lessons. It teaches us about loyalty, redemption, kindness, humility, hard work, and God's sovereignty. And, believe it or not, it teaches us a little about the...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

My Top 10 Theology Stories of 2024

I don’t know what the future holds. But 2024 brought many surprises, some of them welcome for the church.

Ritual Isn’t the Enemy; Empty Ritual Is

We need rituals. Let’s leave empty ritual behind.

3 Reasons Why Evangelism Is a Primary Means for Spiritual Growth

Sharing our faith is critical to our spiritual growth and the lack of doing so impedes our Christian growth.

Pastoral Authority in the Age of Podcasts

As pastors, we increa...

Best Books of 2024

I didn’t read as many books as I’d hoped in 2024, but I read some good ones. Here are the top books I’ve read this year, and why I liked them.

In no particular order:

The Hidden White House: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America's Most Famous Residence

I'm a little surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. President Harry Truman renovated the White House from 1948 to 1952. Before the renovation, the White House was practically falling apart. The renovation was so extensive that it complet...

God’s Answer to Our Needs (Ruth 2)

Big Idea: In anxious times, count on God’s people and God’s providence.

We live in a tough world, and many things seem beyond our control. The future looks uncertain. Do we have what it takes to not just survive but thrive? In a world that feels stacked against us, what will our lives become? Will we get the jobs we need? Will we meet the right people? Will our needs be met? How secure is our future?

It's easy to feel like life is out of control. This uncertainty can quickly lead to overwhelming a...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Top Books of 2024

From Kevin DeYoung, Kevin Halloran, Russell Moore, Trevin Wax, plus Christianity Today Book Awards, For the Church Book Awards, and The Gospel Coalition Book Awards

What God Praises

We find God praising various churches in the book of Revelation (chapters 2-3). Embedded within each letter to these churches is something Christ commends in His servants.

Dear Pastor, Keep This in Mind When There Is “Too Much to Do”

I’ve been asked if I have any su...

A Short Checklist for Preachers

I heard a good preacher last Sunday. I know him well; he is a man of deep integrity who loves the Lord. I also trust his scholarship. He has been studying God's Word for a long time, and it shows in how he lives and teaches.

When he stood up to preach, there was an urgency in his message. He cared deeply about two things: God's Word and us, the congregation. He spoke with passion, even when saying hard truths. I, along with the other hearers, benefited from his sermon.

Listening to his sermon remi...

The Greatest in the Kingdom (Luke 22:25-27)

Big Idea: The path to true greatness involves service and trials and follows the example set by Jesus.

For our twentieth anniversary, we traveled to a resort in Jamaica. A limo picked us up at the airport. Upon check-in, we were served champagne, our preferences were noted, and we were informed that our butler would arrive shortly.

Butler. I like the sound of that. I didn’t know what we would do with a butler, but I thought I might enjoy having one.

We did. The butlers — we had two, working in shif...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

10 Theories of the Atonement

Over the centuries, theologians have articulated several different theories or models of the atonement. Most of the models get something right, though some are much closer to the mark than others.

You Already Work a Christian Job

Vocation dignifies all legitimate efforts.

Unequally Yoked in Business?

. “Pastor, should I start a business with an unbeliever? Would it be wise for me to partner with this person or not?”

The Coddling of th...

The Unknown Pastor

Right now, in a small town you've never heard of, there's a pastor starting his day at the church. He sits alone in his office, preparing a sermon, answering emails, and planning pastoral visits. He doesn't make much money and isn't well-known. Sometimes he wonders if his work is worth it, but he keeps serving.

Long ago, this man had big dreams. He wanted to make a difference, inspired by famous pastors. But unlike them, he's remained mostly unknown and often unappreciated. Many in his church lov...

When God Seems Hidden (Ruth 1)

Big Idea: God is actively at work in the darkest times and among the most hopeless people, even when it's not obvious to us.

We’re starting our Christmas series a little early this year because next week we’ll be hearing from Paul McDonald. We’re also walking through an unusual book in the Bible as we head to Christmas. We’re looking at the ancient book of Ruth.

Does it ever seem like God is hidden? We go through times when God is very real to us. There’s an old hymn that says:

Heav’n above is soft...