In 1627, German Lutheran Theologian, Rupertus Meldenius, penned a tract on Christian Unity, in which he writes, “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”[1] These words provide a framework for how believers can respond to one another when we disagree. Meldinius’s words are a distant echo from the Scriptures, which call believersContinue reading “Theological Triage and Local Church Cooperation (Part I)”
Author Archives: Valley Shepherds
The Burden of Pines and Pastors
The snow and ice fell on a row of heavy-laden pines which border my property and a busy road next to my home. The beauty is portrait quality in high definition, and I cannot look away. My mind wanders to distant memories of building snow forts with my sister and rolling snowmen with my children.Continue reading “The Burden of Pines and Pastors”
Pastoral Resilience: Enduring for the Sake of the Gospel
Pastoral Resilience One of the strands woven into leaders’ character in the community of faith throughout millennia is resilience. In both the Old and New Testament and in the chronicles of extra-biblical history, this one single strand of character is irreducible. In the world of the 21st century Pastor, it is relevant and necessary. InContinue reading “Pastoral Resilience: Enduring for the Sake of the Gospel”
Fullness of Joy: Meditating on Psalm 16:11
Have you ever had a moment, Pastor, when you are reading a passage, perhaps during your daily Bible reading time, and you know for certain you have read that exact passage dozens of times before, but for some reason, this time, you notice things with such a fresh look that it is almost as ifContinue reading “Fullness of Joy: Meditating on Psalm 16:11”
Unity in Christ (Part 1): The View from 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
On June 16, 1858, Abraham Lincoln addressed 1,000 delegates in the statehouse of Springfield, Illinois. Later that day he was selected as their candidate for U.S. Senate. He infused his acceptance speech with an opportunity to address a pressing matter in the U.S. A portion of his speech is as follows: “Mr. President and GentlemenContinue reading “Unity in Christ (Part 1): The View from 1 Corinthians 1:1-9”
Hope in a Knowable God: Truths from Isaiah 55:8-9
In my preaching and teaching, I probably quote Isaiah 55:8-9 as much as any other passage of Scripture: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts thanContinue reading “Hope in a Knowable God: Truths from Isaiah 55:8-9”
Good News in a Bad World: The Daily Hope of the Gospel
My Pastor’s Gospel transformation story makes me laugh. I asked KJ Washington, Lead Pastor at New Valley Church (Waynesboro, VA), his story of how the Gospel transformed him. I’m paraphrasing here, but he essentially told me he was in high school sharing the Gospel with someone else when the proverbial light bulb went off forContinue reading “Good News in a Bad World: The Daily Hope of the Gospel”
Light in the Dark: Encouragement from Psalm 139
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24, ESV Wow, what a wonderful, challenging, helpful passage of Scripture the Lord has given at the end of one our favorite Psalms!Continue reading “Light in the Dark: Encouragement from Psalm 139”
Saved, Secure, and Certain: 5 Truths from 1 Peter
Sunday night, our church finished a very timely study of 1 Peter. Please allow me to share with you five things Peter teaches us in the five chapters of this letter that was written to a group of persecuted Christians dispersed throughout Asia. Your salvation is God’s work; therefore, it is secure. “According to hisContinue reading “Saved, Secure, and Certain: 5 Truths from 1 Peter”
Through Lenses and Lights to Hearts Afar
Here are some personal heart-felt thoughts about what it is like for me to Pastor and Preach in our current circumstances. I am so thankful for Wayne Hills Baptist Church and the grace you extend to me each week to lead and teach you. It is 9:30 am—It is Sunday morning and I am preparingContinue reading “Through Lenses and Lights to Hearts Afar”
Valley Shepherds 