Darryl Dash's Blog, page 18

Impossible, Hard, and Easy

The Christian life and ministry have something in common. Both are impossible, hard, and easy at the same time.

The Christian life is impossible. Nobody can bring about the kind of transformation needed. No amount of self-effort will bring about the kind of change that a dead heart needs to come alive, or that a young life takes to mature. We rely on God’s help, or it will never happen.

It’s not just impossible, but it’s hard. Growing in our faith requires discipline and effort. That’s why the Chr...

Where Things Went Wrong (Genesis 3)

Big Idea: Sin, not God’s original design, has damaged the relationship between the sexes.

Last summer, we were camping about half an hour east of North Bay when our car broke down. It really broke down. It was almost un-drivable.

We faced three issues:

First, the immediate issue: how to get the vehicle home.Second, diagnosing the problem, because you have to know what you are trying to fix.Third, actually getting it fixed.

We solved the first issue. It involved God answering prayer and some question...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

The Pursuit of (Which) Happiness?

Before you search for happiness — let alone codify the quest for it as an inalienable right — it’s a good idea to work out what kind of happiness is worth pursuing.

Enjoying the Many Flavors of the Word of God

The truth is that I’m a bit cautious about favoring one text over another since God intends them all to be treasured for the sacred and eternal value they all possess. The most obscure text of Scripture, rightly understo...

Ordinary and Extravagant Blessings

Last Friday, I picked up our rental car. I got upgraded to a Mercedes-Benz, a car I’ll never be able to afford to buy.

We traveled to Cambridge, an hour west of Toronto, to one of our favorite coffee shops. Once a week, Char and I try to find a coffee shop we enjoy and indulge ourselves with a good Americano and a treat. Because we were traveling, we added a lunch to our weekly date.

Then we stopped at my mother’s, just an hour farther. She had offered to take us out for Indian food. We live in To...

When Life Falls Apart (Lamentations 3:20-21)

Big Idea: Expect that your life may fall apart. Express the pain to God. But then count on his character and his promises that will not change even when you can’t see it.

What do you do when your life falls apart?

I used to think, if you are a follower of Jesus, that your life would never fall apart. I guess I believed in a subtle version of the prosperity gospel. I knew we’d still experience problems: our cars would break down, we’d get stuck in traffic jams, that kind of thing. But I didn’t real...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

3 Waves That Have Shaped Evangelical Churches (and a 4th on the Way)

I want to describe these three waves and then point to the possibility of a fourth that’s picking up speed today.

Can We Forgive When the Offender Doesn’t Repent?

Some theologians argue it’s wrong to forgive an impenitent offender, while others say it’s wrong not to. Let’s review the arguments for both options and see if we can find a solution.

7 Powerful Lessons Paul Teaches the Church About ...

To Love a Place

Stuart McLean was a Canadian radio broadcaster best known for his show The Vinyl Cafe. His show featured stories about Dave, as lovable but hapless owner of a second-hand record store, along and his family. The show ran on the radio for years, and McLean also published books based on the stories. You can still listen to many of the stories, and hear the background between them, in a podcast called Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe.

McLean didn’t just record the show in a studio. He took his show on the...

God’s Original Design for Men and Women (Genesis 1-2)

Big Idea: Men and women have dignity and differences that are designed for our good and our joy.

Living in Liberty Village is very interesting. We see a lot of new condos being built. What I’ve noticed is that the initial stages of building a condo go slowly. They dig and they dig. They start by laying foundation piles, which are long, slender columns of steel or concrete that transfer the building's load to a deeper, more stable layer of soil or rock. And only then do they begin to build up. Lay...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

A Church Is a Dangerous Place to Be

Contrary to many churches that try to communicate to its worshippers and visitors, I would argue that a church is first and foremost a dangerous place to be for anyone.

The Universal Experiences of Preachers

My ministerial colleagues and my homiletics bookshelf attest to the non-uniqueness of each of these moments.

A Coward’s Guide to Evangelism

I'd like to offer seven suggestions for you to keep in mind as you consider how to...

A Thought, a Quote, and a Resource

A Thought

In every church I’ve known, at least one or two people set the pace. They may or may not be official leaders in church. Usually, they are older. They are known for being godly and encouraging. They are spiritually mature and help others grow.

Sometimes I visit churches and ask, “Who are the godly men and women in your church, the kind of person you hope to be one day?” I've found two things. First: one or two names quickly rise to the surface. Second: people light up when they talk about...