Jim Essian's Blog: JimEssian.com, page 2

On New Year’s Resolutions

I love the new year.

I love New Years, anniversaries, birthdays (not the parties so much)…any natural pause in life that encourages me to reflect, repent, rejoice, and resolve.

But here’s my encouragement to you as you consider 2022 and some of things you want to do and be; I tweeted it out awhile back:

I think faithful habits and rhythms are far more fruitful than chasing the fruit of goals and metrics, whether shredding the pounds or building the savings account. Even spir...

Systemic Justice

By definition systemic injustice is complex. 

A complicated problem is different from a complex one. A complicated issue is difficult, there will be lots of work, it will take lots of thought, but in the end, it’s linear, moving from A to B to C to solve the problem. 

A complex issue isn’t linear. It involves systems and networks and groups — it’s multi-faceted. You need legislation, programs, people, even changes in values and perspectives. 

Take sex trafficking as an example.

Sex t...

Responding to Current Events

Responding to Current Events

After the US Capitol incident on January 6th, 2021, I had a pastor friend text me that a church member was disappointed he didn’t address it. And though I did address it that Sunday before my sermon, we had some that wished we had said more…even to publicly disavow President Trump’s actions. 

Wherever you might stand on some of the issues and however you might want your church to respond, it all raises the question of when (and what and how) a church should res...

Ten Theses to all Taco-Eaters on National Taco Day

It’s #NationalTacoDay so here’s my annual admonition to all my taco eaters out there as a loving taco eating brother:

1. If there’s not an egg on it, what’s the point?

2. The broad road that leads to Velvet Taco has many people on it, and it leads to destruction.

3. The narrow road to Salsa Limon leads to life, and life everlasting.

4. How and why did God create us? God created us male and female in his own image to glorify him—so for God’s sake choose corn tortillas.

5. Christ Jesus came...

Ten Theses to my Sisters on National Boyfriend Day

It’s #NationalBoyFriendDay (October 3rd, 2019), so here’s my annual admonition to Christian single gals as a loving big brother:

1. The Bible has no category for boyfriend (or girlfriend). You either have a husband or a brother-in-Christ.

2. That means he doesn’t get any sort of special access to you that any of your other brothers would/should get.

3. That means he doesn’t get a say in where you go or what you do. He has no claim on you. You owe him nothing, but a sisterly love that you woul...

Lent Devotional – Jesus For You

When I started writing  Jesus For You it was to be a short Lent devotional for the church I pastor—a reflection on Jesus’ Passion Week, his substitution and sacrifice for you. The devotional turned into a book, but it still functions as a guide to reflection and repentance, and (hopefully) gives you new eyes to see an old story.

Here are some tips on how to read Jesus For You during Lent:

Lent this year starts on March 6th and ends on April 18th Read it with your small group or spouse Consid...

Pastors, Calling, & Elder Installation Liturgy

There’s a framed print in my office of the prophet Samuel anointing David as king—a gift from a friend that serves as a reminder of my calling, a Spirit animated and anointed call to “shepherd the flock of God among you” (1 Pet. 5:2). It’s a painting you look at in those discouraging moments, those moments where you wonder if you can do it.

A few times a year I joke with my wife that I want to move to Tuscany, buy a vineyard, work the land, eat cheese, chase my kids, and play guitar. Maybe I...

The Christmas Story, Abusive Authority, & A King Who Won’t Let Us Down

I lived next door to a gal who’s dad would pastor a church and abuse children. The leaders of the church would find out, cover it up, and then quietly ask him to leave—a condemnable sweeping under the rug. And then, of course, he would go do it again at another church. For decades he did this until someone finally found out and he spent some time in jail.

With the #MeToo movement this past year, where men in authority and power had abused that power, and with the corresponding movement called...

Ten Thoughts on Discipleship from Matthew 28

Ten Thoughts on Discipleship from Matthew 28:

1. Jesus didn’t give you a class to disciple you, he gave you a church
2. You need the whole church for your whole life to disciple you
3. Discipleship is in all of life
4. You need to make disciples too. You can be a disciple and still doubt
5. Who has the authority? In whose name do we baptize? Who will be with you everywhere? Jesus is the hero of discipleship, not the one who goes and makes disciples
6. We are discipling people to Jesus, not t...

20 Quotes From “Jesus For You”

It’s been two weeks since Jesus For You: He Became Like You So You Could Become Like Him was released. As I’ve talked with people and read varying posts online, thankfully, the book has resonated. Here are the 20 quotes that seem to have impacted folks the most—maybe they will with you as well.

Jesus is more human than we are. Jesus’ incarnation wasn’t just to save you for heaven’s riches, it was to sympathize and help you with earth’s sorrows. The answer to our brokenness is meeting God w...