Darryl Dash's Blog, page 17

One Old, Good Book

We don’t make enough money to go to fancy restaurants often. Once in a while, though, we manage to either get a good deal or we get invited to a restaurant that’s out of our price range.

When the food comes out, I often look at what’s served and have two thoughts. First: amazing presentation! Second: that’s it for what I just spent? I often feel like I’ll have to stop at McDonalds on the way home to get a bit more food.

But then I begin to eat the meal and realize that it’s on a whole other level ...

When People Oppose You (Psalm 56)

Big Idea: When people oppose you, remember that God is greater and cares for you, and then give thanks to him.

Psalm 56:4 asks an interesting question: “What can flesh do to me?”

The answer is, actually, a lot. Take this psalm, for instance. It was written by David, and people were doing a lot to make his life miserable. Verses 5 and 6 say:

All day long they injure my cause;
all their thoughts are against me for evil.
They stir up strife, they lurk;
they watch my steps,
as they have waited for my life....

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

From Prospect to Retiree: Supporting Every Pastor on His Journey

The five categories are Prospects, Players, Injured Players, Suspended Players, and Retired Players. Each category has specific conditions and needs that require proactive, preventative, and personal care.

If You Confess

We might describe healthy confession in four parts.

Sanctification Explained Simply

Sanctification isn’t a stairway upwards to higher and higher rungs of holiness. No, sanctificati...

Love Your Neighborhood

There’s something refreshing about loving locally.

The first time I emerged from the Runnymede Subway Station in Toronto, I knew I’d discovered something different. I’d spent my entire life in suburbs, which had its own advantages. Bloor West Village, just off Runnymede Road, felt like something new. It was a village within a city, with residences, shops, businesses, and schools within walking distance of each other. There was nothing uniform or homogeneous about the area. It was messy, colorful,...

How to Handle Overwhelming Trials (Psalm 46)

Big Idea: When facing overwhelming trials, find your security in God, focus on your eternal home, and look to Jesus, not your problems.

In your life, you will face two kinds of crises.

One category is the kind of crisis you can manage on your own. It won’t necessarily be easy, but you’ll figure it out. Mortgage rates go up; you can trim your expenses and cover the increase. You get laid off; you can pivot and get a new job. Your marriage hits a rough spot; you get some help and work to improve it....

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Live Among the Flock

Here are three reasons why I would encourage every pastor to teach his congregation the value of proximity.

The Healing Power of Confessing Sins to One Another

In order to be fully known, we have to trust others with our stubborn sins and wandering love. And in so doing, our faith is built up stronger.

When Spiritual Disciplines Took Over My Life

How can pastors and church leaders recognize and minister to a member wrestling with scrupulosit...

It Takes Years to Grow

Take a look at your body right now.

Unless you’re really young, you probably see signs of decay. Our bodies start the process of aging and decline at a cellular level well before we notice any significant changes.

Generally, this process begins in our late 20s to early 30s. During this time, the body's ability to repair and regenerate cells starts to decrease gradually. The rate of decline differs based on genetics, lifestyle, and overall health, but it impacts everyone.

Eventually, your skin will ...

When You’re Spiritually Depressed (Psalms 42-43)

Big Idea: When God seems far away, preach to yourself and turn to him for help.

If you know me, you know that I get pretty excited about talking about the habits we need to practice growing spiritually. It’s easy for me to get up and speak about the habits you need to build in your life if you are going to grow.

I was teaching these habits a year ago at a church when the pastor raised his hand. He asked a question: What do you do when you practice all these habits, and you still get stuck?

I wanted...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Why Many New Pastors Don’t Survive Their First Five Years—and How We Can Fix This

Newer pastors burnout generally not because regular preaching and teaching are more difficult than they expected, but because these activities too often happen under the stress of sharp conflict.

Every Good Parent Will Have Regrets

What would I tell my younger self about parenting?

The Joyful Cost of Evangelism

As I wrote this article, I considered what was most helpful for me when...

Have You Thought Much About the Urim and Thummim?

I don’t know if you’ve thought much about the Urim and Thummim.

The first mention of them can be found in the book of Exodus 28. In verse 15, God tells Moses to make “make a breastpiece of judgment.” The CSB calls it “an embroidered breastpiece for making decisions.” In verse 30, we read:

And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his he...