Welcome to my blog. I spend half my life in coffee shops having honest conversations about how following Jesus works in real life. So, let’s learn together, grab a cup and – join the conversation.
How this site works:
I’ll post every Monday and invite you to weigh in.
Quick Bio
I’m a businessman, elder in one of the more conservative mega churches in Grand Rapids, Michigan and for over 25 years a full time spiritual mentor of men. I love introducing people to Jesus and truth from God’s perspective. I’m also an NPR listener and student of our culture because I want to understand how the world and a younger generation think, so I’m prepared to engage in conversations which are true to the Bible, intellectually honest and gracious.
Following Jesus is the only hope I have of living this life with purpose, energy and expectation. I hope to end my days on earth still meeting young men at Starbucks who have no interest in God, being the patriarch of my family, cheering them on to godliness, making sad people smile and the lonely – laugh, giving the poor hope, pointing wayward men back to their families, teaching the whole counsel of God and keeping myself unstained – God’s reputation and mine intact.
I spend half my life in coffee shops having honest conversations about how following Jesus works in real life. So, let’s learn together, grab a cup and join the conversation.
This edition from Simon and Schuster has been totally revised with expanded teachings and a study guide. Available in stores and online now!
In 2005, Pulitzer Prize winning American historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, wrote “A Team of Rivals.” The crux of the book, is that one of Lincoln’s greatest strengths was to assemble a cabinet made up of men who had actually been his political rivals. And some were outright enemies! Why? Because they were some of the most knowledgeable in their fields and he knew the value of hearing opinions and ideas different from his own to make the best decisions. So what does that have to do with you and me?
A few weeks ago, my wife Susan and I listened to a radio interview of Larry Fowler, who runs The Legacy Coalition. TLC has as it’s mission, to encourage grandparents to be more intentional about their spiritual legacy. What follows are Larry’s answers to Dr. James Dobson’s questions.
When our church shut down in-person worship services and went online, I really didn’t mind. No getting dressed up and driving to church. Susan and I could have plenty of hot coffee and watch the service on Apple TV in our living room. What’s not to like about that?
Well, aside from the lack of fellowship, we found we missed both the majesty and intimacy of live worship and singing. Morning after morning, we just watched the worship team “lead us in worship.” It felt odd. They were worshiping, but what were we doing? Watching worship? Just listening to a sermon?
While many churches have opened up, at least partially, most have limited seating, so the majority of people will continue to worship at home. Or will they?
A dozen years ago the movie, “The Bucket List” was popular. Jack Nicholson, a white billionaire, and Morgan Freeman, a black auto mechanic meet in the hospital and find they have only one thing in common- they both have a terminal illness. So they make a “bucket list” of the things they really wanted to experience before they die. So, they check themselves out of the hospital, jump on a private jet and the adventure begins.
The year that movie came out I was asked to preach at a large church out of state. The pastor was going on vacation for a month and invited the of us guest teachers to each talk on the topic, “My Bucket List- If I Had Only A Year To Live.” The pastor who invited us, set the pattern he hoped we would follow, by preaching the first of the series. He had his list of ten fun, or meaningful things he wanted to do, mostly with his family.
