In moving through these songs of ascents, one can imagine the pilgrim. He has sung various songs, traveled along the path, and has approached Jerusalem. He is starting now to think about going home again. He might be thinking, "This is wonderful. I am hearing the Bible. I am singing to God. We are offering sacrifices to our Lord. I am in prayer to Him. I feel close to God right now." (18 Minutes/4500 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: The Dangerous Place of Halfway
The Dangerous Place of Halfway
Archival Post
The halfway point of any work for God is a dangerous place. Nehemiah and the people who had a mind to work got to their halfway point rather quickly. But for them to complete the wall of Jerusalem in only fifty-two days they would need to get past the danger of halfway. (1 Minute/400 Words)
Read more7 Marks Of A Cool Church (Acts 2:42)
7 Marks Of A Cool Church
(Acts 2:42)
I have heard recitations of Acts 2:42 my entire Christian life. Seems the circles I run in love it. Part of it has got to be the sweet outline -- "4 things, everyone. Teaching, fellowship, bread-breaking, and prayers." But another part of it has got to be the beauty. Who wouldn't want to be part of something as radical as the early days of the church? Jesus ascended. The Spirit fell. The crowd gathered. Peter preached, and 3,000 souls were added to the church. How did they respond? Acts 2:42. (12 Minutes, 3000 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: 5 Reasons for Believers to Have Kids
5 Reasons for Believers to Have Kids
Archival Post
The Psalmist spoke of children as a reward, a blessing. But do modern married couples believe this to be so? Should we have children? Are they still a blessing? I think so. (9 Minutes/2300 Words)
Read moreUnknown Yet Known (2 Corinthians 6:9)
Unknown Yet Known
(2 Corinthians 6:9)
Paul had a roller coaster relationship with the church in Corinth. They loved him. Then they hated him. They admired him. Then they belittled him. Like the ocean tide, the Corinthian believers were up and down in their estimation of the apostle. (4 Minutes, 1000 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: God's Surpassing Power
God's Surpassing Power
Archival Post
“I am happy to share this archival post as a reflection on a topic that has been important to me.
I hope you will enjoy either revisiting this topic with a new awareness or reading it for the first time with fresh eyes.”
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God's Surpassing Power
Ruts to Avoid When Leading Small Group Discussions
Ruts To Avoid When Leading Small Group Discussions
At Calvary Monterey, we emphasize our small group ministry, believing it necessary for Christians to gather together outside the large weekend meeting. Though Sundays are of immense importance, nothing can replace the wonderful one to another ministry that occurs when we get together in small groups. (6 Minutes/1100 Words)
Read moreHow to Combat Mission Fatigue (Nehemiah 4:14)
How to Combat Mission Fatigue
(Nehemiah 4:14)
A point comes in any church's life where atrophy sets in. The passion and joy and labor begin to dry up as people begin to grow discouraged in the mission. Soon, the fight, and what they were fighting for in the first place, is forgotten. Life -- it's busy, after all -- swallows up fruitfulness. The church becomes an afterthought. The mission is replaced with routine. (5 Minutes/1000 Words)
Read moreStaff Chapel
Staff Chapel
Each week at Calvary Monterey we hold an hour-long staff chapel. Currently held on Wednesdays after lunch, Staff Chapel is an opportunity for the staff of our church to gather together for prayer, worship, teaching, updates, and training. It is, for me, a significant way to impart to the entire team. (4 Minutes/800 Words)
Read moreArchival Post: Get Some Physical Exercise Because It Has "Some Value"
Get Some Physical Exercise Because It Has "Some Value"
From the Archives
My society is body image crazed. No one thinks exercise is pointless. Even those who reject the practice believe in its value. I don’t really need to preach its benefits. In fact, Paul helps me preach something different. Training towards godliness is better, because internal health is better than external health.
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