Darryl Dash's Blog, page 37

Jesus’ Purpose and Our Response (Mark 14-15)

Big Idea: Jesus purposely went to the cross, and we must respond.

So much can happen in a short time. It only takes a very short time for everything to change, for our worlds to be turned completely upside-down.

In Mark 14 and 15, we have what’s called the Passion Narrative of Jesus Christ. They record the events that took place the night before and the day of Jesus’ death.

This is the climax of Mark’s gospel. Mark moves at a brisk pace as he records his account of Jesus’ life, but it’s as if he sl...

Lessons From a Bookseller

One of the habits I try to practice is reading for pleasure at the end of the day. In bed, before I go to sleep, I pick up books that I enjoy reading whether or not they serve any utilitarian purpose.

One of the books I’ve enjoyed recently is Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell, although it’s got me reading some of his other books as well. Most of his books follow a similar format: daily diary entries that describe the ordinary days of his life. Written with wry humor, I’ve not only enjo...

The Leader We Need (1 Samuel 1-24)

Big Idea: We need godly leaders, especially One who will rescue us from our enemies.

We do it a lot. The United States is doing it right now as they prepare for 2024. The City of Toronto is doing it as we look for a new mayor. We do it in government, in business, in not-for-profits, and pretty much in any human organization.

We’re on the lookout for a leader. We want, we need someone to lead us. We know the difference that a good leader makes. If you’ve ever experienced great leadership, you know ...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Help! I Can’t Find Time as a Mom to Read the Bible

I’m a busy mom, and I have trouble finding time to read the Bible. Where do I start to carve out time for this?

How to Respond to Deconstructionist Social Media

How do we who’ve been charged with shepherding younger generations respond to this new reality and the threat it poses to those in our care?

Is It OK to Fail in Ministry?

Failing is inevitable in ministry. Here are two suggestions that will help.

Misconce...

Want to Grow? Pay Attention to These Three Things.

I’m fascinated by the topic of spiritual growth. I’ve even written a couple of books on the subject. How do people mature in their faith? What habits and disciplines matter most? How can we help others grow? Why do some people grow and others seem to stall? The answers to these questions matter to every believer and every church leader.

But it’s not enough to know how to grow in general. In his book A Short Guide to Spiritual Disciplines: How to Become a Healthy Christian, Mason King argues that ...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

‘Lord, Do It Again’: Tim Keller on Revival

Revival is like an avalanche. You get a few sleepy Christians waking up, a few nominal Christians getting converted, and a few really interesting dramatic conversions from the community. And if there’s a real support of extraordinary prayer, those first little pebbles can turn into an avalanche.

There is Something Better than Never Suffering

He will be your strength in the midst of your suffering, with sustaining grac...

The Really Radical Book for Kids (and Adults)

Parenting (and grand-parenting) comes with perks: you get to play with children’s stuff. Some toys today are much better than the toys we had when we were kids; some books are better. If you need an excuse to read these books or play with these toys, children come in handy.

I’m a grandparent, but I don’t feel like I need an excuse. I’m currently reading a great children’s book The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, and it’s amazing. Not only did Kevin DeYoung do a great job in writing the material, b...

God Always Keeps His Promises (Joshua)

Big Idea: Against all odds, and despite all obstacles, God keeps his promises and gives his people rest.

Joshua Bell emerged from the Metro and positioned himself against a wall beside a trash basket. By most measures, he was nondescript — a youngish white man in jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. From a small case, he removed a violin. Placing the open case at his feet, he shrewdly threw in a few dollars and pocket change as seed money and began to play.

For t...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

50 Thoughts on Preaching

Without a clear, discernible, and simple structure, your sermon will feel longer than it actually is….

Preaching from a Place of Fullness

I have preached from a place of emptiness and from a place of fullness, and the experience of the one makes me long for the other.

When a Beloved Pastor Falls

When a pastor or other church leader fails morally, church members often tend toward two types of responses.

What to Do When Revival Comes

Suppose...

This Is God's Holy Word

Every week, someone reads Scripture before the sermon at the church I pastor. They close the Scripture reading with these words: “This is God’s holy word.” The congregation responds, “Thanks be to God.”

Last year, someone read a passage from 1 Corinthians 11 on head coverings, including these words: “But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God…” (1 Corinthians 11:3). Sometimes what follows a verse like that de...