Posts by Steve Harling
Character Matters
America is in a crisis of leadership. Everyone knows it. No one knows what to do about it. Our nation desperately needs good and sound leaders. As the wise man once said: ‘Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.’ (Proverbs 20:28 MSG) Admittedly, it’s hard to be a good and…
Read MoreWhat Do We Know and Have because of the Ascension of Jesus?
“Depths of purpose and layers of meaning saturate everything you do.” Psalm 92:5 Everything that Jesus did was intentional. His every word and action either conveyed a vital message or achieved a strategic objective. The triumphal entry was loaded with meaning. The crucifixion was beyond purposeful. The resurrection changes everything! But what about the ascension…
Read MoreThe Top 10 Perils of Pastoring
It’s a wonderful privilege to be a pastor. It’s fulfilling to craft and deliver messages. It’s fun to build teams and reach goals. It’s rewarding to share in life’s most meaningful moments with the parishioners that the Lord has placed in our care. But as life-giving as ministry can be… it’s also fraught with peril.…
Read MoreThis Is Eternal Life
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Growing to know Jesus Christ at a heart level is the greatest pursuit of life. As Jesus put it: “THIS is eternal life.” We tend to think of eternal life as never-ending life. But that’s not how Jesus defined…
Read MoreIndispensable Uzzah
30,000 of Israel’s finest were singing and cheering loudly as they escorted the Ark of the Covenant down the hill from Abinadab’s house. “Yay God! The Ark of the Covenant is coming home to Jerusalem! The Ark was on a cart. The cart was towed by an ox. Abinadab’s boys, Uzzah and Ahio, guided the…
Read MoreWrapped Up in Christ
I can’t get enough of what it means to be in Christ… Been reflecting this morning on the promises from Ephesians 1:1-14. Because we are wrapped up in Christ… Because He has joined us to Himself… Because of our union with Jesus, the Anointed One… Friends, on May 2nd Rooted Joy: Prioritizing Your Connection to Christ…
Read MoreOur Only Hope
When confronted with a recent crisis involving some lost equipment, one of our doctors in Soddo opined, “Our only hope is to put all our hope in God alone.” His comment made me wonder: “Where is my hope?” Like most people, I tend to put a lot of stock in my principles, proficiencies, and persistence.…
Read MoreLove Your Pastor Well
How well do you know your pastor? The apostle Paul instructed us to ‘acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.’ (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) After having served as a Lead Pastor for over…
Read MoreWhat’s that in Your Hand?
And the LORD God said: “What’s that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2) God has entrusted each of us with valuable things that he intends for us to use for the good of his kingdom and the fulfillment of his purpose. What kinds of things? God has put these things in your hands so that you…
Read MoreFrom Saul to Paul
“Saul, also known as Paul…” (Acts 13:9) This verse marks the point in which the apostles name change becomes permanent. Formerly, he was ‘Saul.’ But for the rest of his life (and ever since), he would be known as… ‘Paul.’ ‘Saul’ means ‘sought after.’ ‘Paul’ means ‘little.’ The change of name matters. It’s descriptive of…
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