Darryl Dash's Blog, page 26

Two Things I'd Change If I Wrote How to Grow Today

In 2018, my book How to Grow came out. I’m still happy with it, but there are two big changes I’d make if I wrote this book today.

First, I’d write about the role of suffering in growth.

I talk a lot about habits in the book, which is good. Habits — or spiritual disciplines, if you prefer — play a big role in our growth. In fact, I’ve become even more convinced of their importance in our sanctification.

But I wish I’d written more about the role that suffering plays in our growth. Looking back, the...

Hold Fast (Hebrews 6:13-20)

Big Idea: Cling to Jesus under pressure because you can count on his promises, and he will give you the stability you need.

The year was A.D. 155, and the persecution against Christians swept across the Roman Empire. Finally, it came to Smyrna, an Ancient Greek city located in modern-day Turkey.

The proconsul of Smyrna ordered that the elderly Bishop of Symrna, a man named Polycarp, be found, arrested, and brought to the public arena for execution.

So they found him. They brought him before thousan...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Gospel Hope for North America’s Largest Unreached People Group

“The gospel is the power of God,” Ethier said, “and we are amazed daily at what God is doing.”

Five Fears of Old Age

Dear older saint, I need to join you in the fight against the fears of aging, and to do so by faith in future grace.

Dear Retired Pastor: Off with the Slippers, On with the Boots

Here are four lessons I’ve learned as a retired pastor.

Pastor, It's Time to Reevaluate Your Schedule

With a ...

The Unwavering Pastor

I really like Jonathan Dodson’s book The Unwavering Pastor.

I like it because Dodson is honest. When I first read one of Dodson's books, it felt like he understood my experience as a pastor better than I did. Dodson knows a pastor’s heart, a pastor’s anguish, and a pastor’s temptations. He shares his joys and struggles, and it makes me feel less alone. It may do the same for you.

I like this book because it’s biblical. Dodson doesn’t just write from his experience; he brings the wisdom of Scriptur...

Don’t Stop Believing (Hebrews 5:11-6:12)

Big Idea: Spiritual sluggishness destroys faith, so keep growing to the end.

It doesn’t take much work to come up with examples of people who have fallen away from following Jesus. In fact, it’s become a bit of a thing.

Go on social media and use the hashtag #deconstructing, and you will come up with hundreds of posts. You can find books on how to deconstruct. Someone even tried to offer a course on how to deconstruct. And it’s a sensitive issue too. I read a post by a Facebook friend that lashes ...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

To the New and Nervous Scripture Reader

I heard you set a goal for the new year to read Scripture more faithfully. That’s great! But I was also told that now you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed. You want to be in the Word, but you’re just not quite sure how that’s going to work. I get it; and if I could, I’d like to offer you a couple of pieces of advice.

My Bible Reading Feels Flat — What Can I Do?

What if I read my Bible, but I don’t feel anything in my affecti...

An Update on My Seven-Year Bible Reading Project

In case you’re interested, I thought I’d give you an update on my seven-year Bible reading project.

About the Project

I started this plan in 2021. My plan was inspired by Nate Pickowicz and his book How to Eat Your Bible:

Instead of plowing through a few verses and then speeding off to work, slow it down. Instead of laboring through the whole Bible in a year, go a little deeper. Instead of reading your Bible simply to check it off the chore list, change your mental approach—change your philosophy. ...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

5 Tips for Creating Healthy Bible-Reading Habits

Here are five simple steps to great Bible reading:

Reading Scripture Is a Walk in the Park: Bible Reading Plans for 2024

Here are some reading plans The Gospel Coalition’s staff have found helpful.

How Church Leaders Can Be a Nonanxious Presence

Just as anxiety can cascade through a system, so too can peace and stability.

Should Pastors Encourage Secular Therapy? A Guide for Christian Ministry

My goal in this articl...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

32 Random Thoughts About the Local Church

Hence, today I’ve got a long list of brief, random (and unsolicited) observations and pieces of advice related to the local church. I hope there is something here that benefits you.

“Baptism Now Saves You”

When such a person stands in the waters of baptism, we should also be willing to proclaim, “baptism now saves you,” even if we reluctantly have to follow it with a “but not like that.”

When A Pastor Falls

A pastor who ...

Top Blog Posts of 2023

Here, in order of traffic from highest to lowest, are a couple of lists of the top posts I’ve written over the past year.

Thank you for reading. I’m grateful.

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