Darryl Dash's Blog, page 15
November 30, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
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.
. “Pastor, should I start a business with an unbeliever? Would it be wise for me to partner with this person or not?”
November 26, 2024
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...
November 24, 2024
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...
November 23, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Make the Most of Sunday Mornings
By resolving to come hungry and leave full, we position ourselves to grow. And by resolving to come early and stay late, we position ourselves to serve.
10 Mistakes I’ve Made in Preaching
I would like to share with you 10 mistakes I’ve made as a preacher, with the hope that you would learn from them and make progress.
Moody Stuart gave 3 instructions on prayer which I’ve found helpful.
November 19, 2024
Not That Different
At 30, I found myself pastoring a church, a significantly larger congregation than the first I’d pastored. To be honest, I felt overwhelmed and a little insecure.
A member from our church, who had studied in the States and served at a well-known megachurch, approached me with words that would stick with me. He said, "The prominent pastors may seem very gifted, but they're not. They’re gifted in one or two areas, and they get to use those gifts. They’re also pretty bad at other things. You’re not ...
November 17, 2024
The Self-Sufficient Church (Revelation 3:14-22)
Big Idea: Trade our self-sufficiency for what only Jesus can provide, allowing us to receive what we truly need: Jesus himself.
We had a GFC Essentials class a couple of weeks ago. It’s a class that introduces GFC to people who are interested in joining.
Whenever I meet someone who’s new to GFC, I’m happy for them. I say that because I was new to GFC just a year ago. We’re not a perfect church by any means, but I’ve been watching this church for a long time now, and it’s a good one. I could make a...
November 16, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
You Can’t Life-Hack Your Way to Holiness
The center of spiritual formation isn’t about what you do or the practices you adopt—it’s about the Spirit forming you into Christ’s image.
Is Stoicism a Friend of Christianity?
I’m concerned about the trend among Christians to embrace stoicism as a way of dealing with the challenges of modern life.
When Offences Come: How to Forgive and Move On
How do we move from offence to forgiveness, especially when the moment keeps ...
November 12, 2024
The Good News About Bad News
I’m no stranger to bad news. Believe me. Live long enough, and you’ll get your share of bad news too.
I don’t want to slap a happy face on bad news either. Some news is simply awful. Life is hard. Anyone who reads Job, the Psalms, Ecclesiastes, or plenty of other passages understands that suffering is real, and it’s okay to buckle under the weight of suffering. The Apostle Paul himself spoke of suffering so much that he despaired of life itself (2 Corinthians 1:9).
This world isn’t the way that it...
November 9, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
God told Adam that he would “surely die” if he ate from the forbidden tree. He and Eve did not immediately return to the dust upon eating the fruit, but they did experience death in other forms.
“I hope you leave Sunday morning deeply encouraged by the gospel — and I also hope you leave kind of tired.”
A Comforting Verse for Unimpressive, Not so Great Preachers
The power is not in our showiness. The power is no...
November 5, 2024
The Key to Reading the Bible
I'm often surprised by Jesus' straightforwardness. Jesus frequently confronted religious leaders and ordinary believers of his time for their misunderstanding of Scripture and lack of faith in its message.
Jesus said to the Sadducees, "Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?" (Mark 12:24)
“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and ent...
