Home of Captain's Log and Captain's Blog
Asking good questions leads to better thinking. When it comes to church, there is a balance between avoiding a critical spirit and thinking critically about our faith. We shouldn’t let loyalty to our church, leaders, or denomination prevent us from…
Read more
C.S. Lewis described one facet of love as “being vulnerable.” If you will not risk having your heart broken, you mustn’t give it to anyone, “not even an animal.” Back in 2010, I had just recently moved into a small…
Read more
We love standards to measure our progress. Exceeding the status quo to assure ourselves of our standing before God is our natural inclination. The problem is this is the antithesis of the gospel. Despite our bent toward works righteousness, there…
Read more
Imagine the congregation filing into the sanctuary after navigating the minefield of the week. Mines of shame, regret, pain, and doubt have exploded and taken their toll on faith. There will be songs, prayers, and a sermon. Each of those…
Read more
Jesus came for sinners. The healthy do not need a physician (Matthew 9:12). Are you crushed beneath the weight of false expectations? Have the church and peddlers of religion hurt you? Do you struggle with guilt, shame, or regret? I’ve got…
Read more
Everyone brings bias to the task of interpreting scripture. The only way to mitigate that bias is to recognize it, identify it, and seek to interpret it while conscious of it and set it aside. Cultural, theological, and spiritual biases are…
Read more
Despite the different perspectives and opinions, all Christians need to think through what makes a good sermon. Ask seminary professors, church members, and pastors what makes a great sermon, and you’ll receive more answers than views of the end times….
Read more
There is a dark night of the soul from which no light can seem visible. We can sink into depths where meaning, purpose, and life are shrouded in darkness. This state of being may be one of many possible combinations…
Read more
Are results the final metric of success? The bottom line is much more than finances or growth metrics when it comes to leadership. The end doesn’t always justify the means. Good leaders will seek to understand the dynamics of motivation,…
Read more
Why we do what we do is as important as what we do. This is not an easy concept to accept. Mere obedience is insufficient, requiring something beyond us to transform our wills to have hope. It destroys works as…
Read more