Darryl Dash's Blog, page 21

God’s Name on You (Numbers 6:22-27)

Big Idea: God has given you his name. He owns you; he bought you; you represent him.

One of the most significant events of your life took place without you having much to do about it.

One day, a long time ago, someone gave you a name. You were just lying there. They looked at you and made a decision about what you would be called from that point on. Maybe they’d already decided. Maybe they chose a name that was already meaningful. Maybe you reminded them of a certain name. But on that day, they ga...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Mental Illness Is Not a Sign of Immature Faith

Mental illness is a result of the Fall, not because it is a sin, but because it is caused by the effects of sin.

Respond to Conflict like Francis Schaeffer

The way we handle conflict among Christians is supposed to attract people to Christ.

Regulative Discipleship: Why a Full Calendar Doesn’t Necessarily Produce Mature Church Members

If Scripture doesn’t command certain events, then we can encourage members to parti...

I'm Just Starting to Understand the Bible

I drove up to the United States border guard. I have a Nexus card, so I didn’t expect much of a problem.

“Purpose of visit?”

“I’m attending a study week.”

“What are you studying?”

“Just the Bible.”

“Just the Bible?” he exclaimed. Point taken: there is no “just” the Bible. It is a book unlike any other, not even a book but a collection of books. Even if you’re not a Christian, you have to admit it’s amazing. But as a Christian, I see it as much more than a book. It’s my bread and nourishment. There’s ...

Wellbeing in the Wilderness (Numbers 6:22-27)

Big Idea: It may not feel like it, but we can experience God’s blessing even in the wilderness.

I want to take you back with me some three thousand years.

You are in the desert. You’re one of 600,000 people trying to get by in a very inhospitable place. It’s like the worst camping trip ever. I love camping as much as anyone, but one of the best parts of camping is going home and enjoying the comforts of home.

But this is like the camping trip that never ends. The trip was supposed to be two weeks l...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

How to Make Better, More Careful, More Persuasive Arguments

I want to suggest two ways we can make our arguments harder, which in this case means better, more careful, and more persuasive.

A Response to John MacArthur’s Statements on Mental Illness From a Family it Has Misjudged

I primarily write this to those navigating mental illness in their child.

Institution Building Requires Virtue

Unfortunately, during times of fear and turmoil, it is very easy for us to ...

Holiness Here

There are two kinds of books on holiness.

One is the kind of book written by R.C. Sproul, J.C. Ryle, or Jerry Bridges. These are good and important books, possibly even life-changing, but they’re also challenging. You can expect a bit of a workout, and it may even feel like you’ve entered a gym that really isn’t for people like you.

And then there’s the kind of book written by my friend Karen Stiller called Holiness Here: Searching for God in the Ordinary Events of Everyday Life. It’s the kind of ...

God’s Gracious Face (Numbers 6:22-27)

Big Idea: God blesses us by letting us behold his glory, and it deeply satisfies our souls.

What is the most beautiful, soul-satisfying thing you have ever seen?

Maybe it was the eclipse. I was listening to the story of a retired astrophysicist nicknamed Mr. Eclipse. As a teenager, he was amazed by an eclipse and decided to spend his life traveling the world to see as many as possible. He’s travelled to Canada, Australia, Bolivia, Antartica, China, and India to see eclipses. For him, eclipses are ...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

The Path Away From Pornography

There is no “formula” for getting free from pornography, but I have witnessed common patterns in the way the Lord breaks people free from its chains.

Study the Bible in 5, 15, or 30 Minutes

Don’t let a lack of time or energy become excuses that prevent you from doing what’s most important: knowing and delighting in your God.

Why Daily Bread Is Better

God wants us to trust his loving care, and he wants us to trust him daily.

Soft Dis...

What It Takes to Survive Ministry

If you don’t think pastoral ministry will be hard, you’re wrong.

Of course, it’s not the only hard vocation. Our congregations are filled with people who fill challenging roles. Pastoral ministry comes with many joys. My point, though, is this: it’s also filled with hazards and difficulties. If you suffer from idealism, pastoral ministry will beat it out of you.

Paul says as much in 2 Timothy 2. He calls Timothy to suffer, and then illustrates what suffering in ministry looks like by comparing it ...

The Lord Bless You and Keep You (Numbers 6:22-27)

Big Idea: God is active in your life, both providing you what you need and protecting you from evil.

You’ve probably heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

In 1947, Bedouin teenagers were tending their goats and sheep. One sheep wandered, as sheep do. The search for that sheep led him to a dark cave.

He approached the mouth of the cave. They threw stone inside. To his surprise, he heard something shatter. Crawling through the entrance, he came face-to-face with enormous clay pots larger than him.

He and his...