Sound Words

I noticed in my small group that the men tend to idolize selfishness, while the women tend to idolize sovereignty. Men have a certain self-centeredness, and women have a desire for control. While these are generalizations from my personal small group sample, I do see some biblical connections.After the Fall of Man, we see a pull towards selfishness, self-centeredness in Adam. Rather than taking responsibility, he shifts the blame onto Eve. At the same time, sin introduces a new tension for Eve. There is a struggle over control and leadership in their relationship, as “your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”I was struck by these sinful patterns so early in the Bible. It certainly heightens my awareness of these idols in my own life. It makes me grateful for our Father, who loves us despite our familiar sins. It makes me treasure the Son, who saves us. And it makes me pray to the Spirit, who gives us the power to persevere.

Last week, I wrote about idolatry, and I want to share more observations from my small group. If I were to generalize from our small sample, I’d say the men tend to idolize selfishness, while the women tend to idolize sovereignty—two “S” words to make it easy to remember.For me, my idol was my iPhone, which I traced back to a desire for laziness—to give my attention to my phone instead of to God and others, and to be selfish with how I use my time. Whether it’s an iPhone or other distractions, many of the men in my group struggled with an idol of selfishness.For the women, the common idol was sovereignty—the desire to be in control. Whether it was wanting things to go according to plan or planning everything in extreme detail, there was often disappointment when things fell out of their control.I’ll make some biblical connections with this in my next newsletter!

We were at Legoland this weekend, and I have a confession: I get stressed out when we’re on vacation. I get stressed out at home too, but this is different.It’s like I somehow forget about God more easily, and I forget that he’s in control. I get caught up in the minutiae of what the kids are doing, and just the overall uneasiness about being away from the familiar.There are large letters at the entrance of Legoland that say WELCOME, and my son Ark wanted to pose in front of the C because, as he said, “C is for Christ.” I was happy and also humbled. It was a soft reminder from my son that I am still a Christian while I’m on vacation and that Christ is still King.I’m thankful for Jess, who deals kindly with my stress. And I’m thankful for my kids, who show me the Savior.

I recently shared five reasons why were talking about our spouses’s idols in our marriage small group. The prompt was that we were supposed to state what we think, or what we perceive, what we’ve seen to be our spouses’s idols — and also if and how they have been fighting off these idols. Specifically for this small group question, I wanted to define an idol as anything that gets in the way of loving God and loving others. Yesterday I wrote how Jess said that my iPhone was my idol, and I said it was tied to my sin of selfishness. Today I’ll share what Jess said about how I have been fighting my iPhone idolatry.Jess was kind and gladly said that she noticed I had been trying to fight my iPhone idolatry by confessing it to her and also purposefully putting my phone away or out of reach when I am with my kids. I was happy that she could say this without hesitation. And I believe this is still what I want. When I shared about iPhone idolatry in my most recent sermon, I said it with conviction and hope.When I put my phone away, I’m more proactive in playing with my kids. It’s easier to find time to talk to Jess. My Bible study is better and I can find more times to pray. Putting my iPhone away allows me to be more present to love God and love others. It’s something I’m still working on, and something that I think will be an ongoing battle in our modern age, but I think it’s a fight we can win, and an idol we can all put away.He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.” — Joshua 24:23

We were talking about our spouses’s idols in our marriage small group. The prompt was that we were supposed to state what we think, or what we perceive, what we’ve seen to be our spouses’s idols — and also if and how they have been fighting off these idols. Specifically for this small group question, I wanted to define an idol as anything that gets in the way of loving God and loving others.Jess was the first to share and her answer came quickly. She said that my iPhone was my idol. This is not news to me haha. I know this is true, and I’m quick to confess it. It goes with me everywhere. It serves not only the work that I do but I also use it for entertainment. I give a lot of time, attention, and energy to it. And I feel actual anxiety when I don’t know where my phone is! One of our small group members actually wanted to know what sin we could tie to its use — and I said that it’s probably selfishness that drives me most to it. Prioritizing my own work and relaxation over loving God and others. When I shared about iPhone idolatry in my most recent sermon, I did have some personal weight behind it.In Part 2, I’ll share what Jess said about how I have been fighting my idolatry.

What are your spouse’s idols? This was the discussion question for our marriage small group this past weekend. Here are several reasons why I wanted to talk about it:Idolatry is insidious, so it’s good for us to examine our lives and name our idols.Our spouses know us best. I’m generalizing here, but we likely spend the most time with them, and they see us at our most sinful.That kind of honesty builds humility. Getting used to plainly naming our sin reminds us that we don’t always see ourselves clearly and that we need each other.It also strengthens trust and intimacy. Honest, grace-filled conversations about struggles can deepen a relationship rather than weaken it.In a marriage group setting, we can better understand what each couple is facing and encourage and support one another as we grow more like Christ.

Jess said it took one of our kids 10 minutes to tell her a simple story. Too much filler, aimless tangents, and no sense of urgency.If we want to mature as communicators, writers, teachers, and preachers — let’s learn how to get to the point!

One common error is mistaking what is new for what is good. Some will say that a sermon was good simply because they learned something new. I’m not saying this is a bad thing. Preachers should do their due diligence in studying and preparing, and this does and should lead to new and fresh insight.But learning something new isn’t helpful unless it actually does something for the hearer. Otherwise, it risks being simply “nice to know.” Does it move their heart to love the Lord more? Does it cause them to cry out over their sin? Does it lead them to make a change in their life?When we encounter something new in Scripture, let’s thank God that His Word is so rich. But let’s also ask what it means and how it moves us.

I was thinking about AI and the Christian, sermon preparation, the books that we use to study, the sermons we see online — and a question I find myself coming back to as a preacher is if I have truly heard from God? Did I hear from him myself?On one level, I can say that I heard from God simply because I read my Bible. It’s not wrong to say that. But on a deeper level, and what I’m aiming for as a preacher and teacher and proclaimer and herald of God’s word — is if I truly heard it myself, firsthand.I believe that God speaks directly to us from his word. It’s not an audible voice, but it’s more than just words on a page. It’s a touching of the heart. The type of hearing I want is to feel his words. To let them sink and set inside my soul. This is what I ask for when I pray as I prepare my messages.

I had a quick conversation with a 1st grade student at Awana on Friday night, sort of on the side, and it all happened really fast:Student: I can do 4th grade math.Me: 4th grade math, wow! How did you learn that?Student: My parents want me to learn. They said that they want me to get ahead. They said that it will be hard now so it can be easier later. They said if I don’t want to work at McDonalds, and if I want to be the owner of 10 companies, then I will need to work hard now.Me: Wow, how does that make you feel?Student: I wonder what’s so bad about being in the middle.Me: That’s a good question. You should ask your parents that. Do your parents go to our church?Student: My parents are Buddhist. I only come on Friday nights. On Sundays I have piano and tennis lessons.Me: Are you a Christian? Do you believe in Jesus?Student: I don’t know if I believe in Jesus or if I believe in the Chinese Jade Emperor.Me: We’re going to learn more about Jesus tonight. I hope that you come to trust and believe in Jesus.And then our conversation was cut short. I hope to follow up with this student. In many ways, this student fits our target demographic. The children’s ministry mission field harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Would you please say a quick prayer for this student and our children’s ministry workers?

I was having lunch with some coworkers earlier this week, sharing stories, hanging out. My friend was telling us about some of his past and I was so shocked that I said out loud we had very different childhoods growing up! Our work at the hospital is a very weak common denominator amongst us all.My church is very monocultural. Don’t get me wrong — I’m grateful for our church. But if you go out into the surrounding cities, you’ll meet different people.I pray and long for the day when we will sit together at the marriage supper of the lamb, sharing stories, hanging out. And no doubt, there we will have different childhoods — but the strong and saving blood of Christ will connect us all together forever.

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1)Previously, I wrote about James and Jesus, and today I want to share some related thoughts about this famous passage from James. He writes that not many of you should become teachers. This is a general warning addressed to everyone, but especially to those who seek to elevate themselves to this important position in the church.What interests me is the weight this carries coming from James. James was a prominent figure in the faith, working alongside Paul, Peter, and John. He would have known the apostles’ teaching firsthand, and he was careful to make clarifications, distinctions, and nuances in his own writing concerning the relationship between faith and works.The Savior’s StandardRelated to this theme of faith and works, what fascinates me most is that James didn’t just write about lived-out faith—he witnessed it firsthand. He grew up with Jesus and saw Him even before His ministry. He knew how Jesus lived His life—holy and pure, blameless before God.For teachers today, the message is clear: the standard to both teach sound doctrine and live out the faith is high, in public and in private. The standard is Christ Himself. James knew this firsthand, and he wanted to make sure that we follow in step with the Savior.

One of my biggest problems is feeling like I always need to be productive. And by productive, I mean doing things that lead to making money.I was playing with my daughter, building a house out of cardboard boxes.And I realized that, by monetary standards, I wasn’t being productive, but I was happy. I felt full and satisfied.On a deeper level, it felt like an eternal investment, tending the home of my daughter’s heart.For the Christian, money is not the measure of a rich and rewarding life. That kind of life isn’t earned—it’s given: a life spent loving God and others.

Three reasons why I carve out the time to answer questions from the children at my church:Kids are curious — and I think that’s a good thing. Allowing them to ask questions normalizes curious minds and I think this is one way to cultivate good habits for future and more mature Bible study.I want them to remember that God has answers to their questions. This is more of a long play, but when they grow up I hope it somehow gets into their minds that they were allowed to ask questions and we were able to give answers.It’s fun and challenging for me! I genuinely have a good time hearing what is on their minds, especially immediately after the message. It’s helpful and encouraging for me to interact and engage with them and just talk to them directly about what they want to know about God and the Bible.

James was Jesus’ half brother, and he probably thought that Jesus was out of his mind.JamesWhat must it have been like to be the half brother of Jesus? Growing up together, playing, doing chores, hanging out, running errands, talking. James was so close to Him, yet he did not believe. At one point, even Jesus’ family was saying, “He is out of His mind” (Mark 3:21). Those nearest to Him did not yet understand who He truly was. They thought he was crazy. But they still cared for him and wanted to get his attention (Mark 3:31).We are not told everything James thought or felt. Scripture does not say whether he was jealous or resentful, or how he responded to the attention Jesus received. Even with the cross, the Gospels do not tell us whether he was there or how he responded to Jesus’ suffering and death. Like many others, he may not have fully understood what was happening.James likely thought Jesus was mistaken or misguided, yet he was still his brother. I think he still loved him as a brother. But everything changed after the resurrection.JesusJesus appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7). The one he had once misunderstood, he now saw clearly. James would go on to become a leader in the church and later give his life as a martyr. He no longer related to Jesus merely as a brother, but as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1).For the Christian with unbelieving family and friends, this gives us hope. Even those who are closest to us may not believe. They may misunderstand or even reject what is true. They might think we’re crazy. But that is not the end of the story. Faith does not come merely through family, friendship, or intellectual familiarity. It comes through the risen Christ making Himself known, opening eyes, and transforming hearts. And in the end, the One James once thought was out of His mind became the Lord he loved with all his mind — and heart. He was not only his brother according to the flesh, but his true Brother of faith in the family of God, by the blood of Christ.

Easter Sunday is a big deal! We’ve had emails going back and forth with last minute prep and you can feel the excitement. Even with the extra work that comes with serving, here are three reasons why I’m glad I get to lead music on Easter Sunday:Easter Sunday is the most important day on the Christian calendar. Yes, more important than Christmas!Easter Sunday is the top worship service attended during the year — at least according to some articles lol. Yes, Christmas is also debated for the win haha.And the third reason is a bit more personal, but it’s when I get to sing about something I’ve been preaching about and living for the entire year. There’s something special about singing — where speaking, teaching, or even preaching won’t cut it — you have to sing about it. And this Sunday, I get to do just that.I’m leading music this Easter Sunday! Would you please say a quick prayer for me?

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. (John 19:38-40)I can only imagine what was going through Joseph and Nicodemus’ minds as they buried Jesus. So much pain, so much sorrow, so many emotions mingled together.Many believe that by this point, these two rich and powerful men were no longer afraid to be associated with Him. It seems they were searching for a way to express and confess their love and devotion—without fear, and in the light.Like them, I want my love and faith to be visible, not hidden or afraid. And if this was their love when they thought He was gone, I can only imagine the boldness they showed when they discovered that Christ was no longer dead.

I received an excellent question about free will after my children’s sermon on Sunday. Here is my rationale for answering the way I did, and I hope that writing this out will help me answer better next time:Questions about free will are ultimately questions about our sovereignty. I aim to show that we are not sovereign (we do not have the power, control, or abilities to do whatever we want) then I can get the children thinking along the correct lines.Instead of examining actions, I hope to show that it is what is inside our hearts that should be of concern, and the Bible says that we are slaves to sin. Only Christ can free us from our slavery to sin so we can have hearts that are free to love God as we should.I don’t want to diminish the fact that we are responsible for our actions. The Bible is clear that we must all respond to the gospel, and believers must walk in step with the Spirit. God is not to be blamed for sin. We have the privilege of partnering with God and his providence.Taking on the children’s questions is exciting and fun for me — but it’s also something I cannot take lightly. I want my answers to be sharp and assuring for the children.

Here are some brief thoughts on my current ministry methods. These are my personal convictions and resolutions: Any ministry I do must be founded and overflowing from my own personal devotions and walk with God. I believe my primary ministry is to my family. To be a husband and father is an immediate calling and it must be prioritized. This includes how I care, guide, and provide for them. I am blessed with the opportunity to serve the church locally (at my home church in person) and globally (with my online work). I would like to steward both well. Serving my local church takes precedence, and my local church is not a platform to perform for the global church. I am happy if what I do for the local church can bless and serve the global church.My ministry and service is not my identity. My worth is not in what I do. If it were all to be taken away, and when I am at home with the Lord, Christ is all.

SOLA Network shared my sermon that we turned into a devotional article: The Jews, the Judge, and the Robber: A Series of Passion Week Devotions. I originally preached this three years ago, and I want to share my thoughts about it today.After three years, I can agree that I cringe when reading my old writing. I think that as I continue to work on my writing, the cringe will come more quickly.Overall, I am okay with the cringe! It keeps me humble and helps me remember that there is always room to improve.I am still honored and happy that what I wrote can still be read, that a sermon can still be relevant as I stick to expositing Scripture, and that God can multiply my meager ministry.

On Sunday I had teaching, preaching, and worship leading responsibilities. I try not to do so much on a Sunday, but sometimes that’s just the way the schedule works out. When it comes to getting into a ministry flow on Sunday mornings, Jess is an excellent helper. Jess gets us out of the house with the kids (I need to play my part here too)Jess gets us to church (she usually drives) and she takes care of the kids checking them in so I can go straight to my classroomJess helps me with PowerPoint in children’s worship (our friend Sarah is also there to help along with all adults who help)Jess helps me with the children’s sermon PowerPoint, and helps me record (we also have additional adult helpers if needed)Jess helps me take care of the gear I bring to church (guitar, tripod)Jess helps me make sure we pick up the kids on time and fed for lunch!I’m so grateful to have a wife who helps me serve God! In fact, I very much see it as a joint endeavor. Any service I do, I say we do it together. And for sure it’s better because of her.

I was talking to Jess about our summer schedule for the kids. There are so many things we want them to do. High on our list are swimming lessons and music lessons.As I was thinking about what to prioritize—especially with limited time and money—I laughed at myself because the answer was so clear, at least for me: music lessons won’t save your life, but swimming lessons can!We all have to prioritize things in life. But some things, like the gospel, have life-saving significance. Even with limited time and resources, knowing Jesus is of eternal importance.We do well to keep first things first. When we see life this way, everything else falls into its proper place.

My daughter, Numbers, told me she helped Jess make a salad for dinner. I said it tasted good and asked her what was in it.She said, “Salad, cheese, these things, cheese, sauce.”(The “these things” were croutons, by the way haha.)Her list wasn’t very clear, so I didn’t really know what was in it.It reminded me that when people get a taste of Christianity through the “salt” of our lives, it helps if we can clearly explain what makes God so glorious—because if we’re unclear, people may miss who He truly is, what He’s done, and how they can know Him.Let’s be as clear as we can about God and the gospel.https://diveindigdeep.substack.com/

3. Ask about family and friends. Our families and friends, and how we feel or relate to them, tell us a lot about ourselves. For instance, are you married or single? Dating? Kids or no kids, how many or why not? Who do you hang out with and what types of activities do you like to do?4. Ask about church and hobbies. For some, talking about work may be mundane. Asking about church or hobbies gives people the opportunity to discuss spiritual matters and personal passions. In a world of Artificial Intelligence, I have found true human conversation to be a common grace. And as we connect and draw close to each other, we reflect and display the glory of God.https://diveindigdeep.substack.com/p/how-to-ask-deeper-questions

One of my favorite childhood memories was family dinners at my grandparents house. We would just hang out, eat dinner, and watch TV. This was a time before smartphones, before the Internet was ubiquitous. It was a different time, but I can see God’s kindness in allowing me to experience his goodness in this way.The moment came full circle for me yesterday, when I found myself staying late at my parents house with my kids, hanging out, eating dinner, and watching TV. God has been incredibly kind to me and my family. It’s moments like this when I can clearly see his faithfulness — and it’s a feeling I don’t want to forget.Your faithfulness is for all generations; you established the earth, and it stands firm. — Psalm 119:90https://diveindigdeep.substack.com/p/god-of-generations

These questions have worked well for me as I do Author Interviews, but also just in my regular life and wanting to get to know people better. I don’t necessarily think these questions are deep, but I think they can bring out deeper conversations if people want to pursue them.Ask what people do, but also ask why they do it, or what is the motivation behind it. For instance, ask someone what they do for work, and then ask why they chose that line of work or what got them into it in the first place.Ask how things make people feel. A lot of times you can talk about a topic or event, but to get to know a person, you want to know the feelings and emotions. For example, if a person is facing a new project at work — does it make them excited, scared, optimistic, or anxious?Part 2 coming soon!https://open.substack.com/pub/diveindigdeep/p/how-to-ask-deeper-questions

Today, I want to confess that I actually don’t know that much about Bluey. I’ve heard good things about it, and I’ve watched a couple of episodes, but my kids know way more about it than I do. I didn’t even know Bluey was a girl until late in the game. What I do know, though, is that it’s a great show to keep the kids occupied.We went to see the show at Disneyland, and my eyes were really opened to another world. People knew all the characters. People knew all the songs. As someone who knows a lot about Disney, I felt like an outsider at Disneyland. But it all looked very fun and exciting!As a Christian, I was reminded that our faith can seem very different—especially to those who have not had much exposure to it before. Our churches may seem strange, with all the different people to meet and songs to learn.But I believe the Gospel is good enough to draw people in—to turn outsiders into family and pull them into the story, transforming confusion into joy. And I’m grateful I get to be part of that welcome.https://open.substack.com/pub/diveindigdeep/p/seeing-bluey-at-disneyland

Our marriage small group is one of the biggest blessings at our church. One reason it has such a strong impact on us is our intentionality. As a leader, here are three simple ways I try to support meaningful discussions:1. Come with one clear topic. Sometimes there are multiple parts to a discussion question, but everything flows from a central theme. For example, our topic today focused on our parents, with the question: What patterns from your parents have been passed down to you, and are they helpful or hurtful in your marriage today?2. Give space, but guide the group. I ask whether people would like more time with the discussion question or if they’re ready to move on to prayer requests. This helps move the group along without feeling pushy.3. Model openness first. I typically answer the discussion question first, as openly and honestly as possible. This provides an example for others and sets the tone for the rest of the sharing.Healthy discussions don’t happen by accident. My hope is that our group continues to grow not just in conversation, but in Christ-centered love for one another.https://open.substack.com/pub/diveindigdeep/p/leading-intentional-small-groups

My daughter Numbers was explaining to me how her teacher told her to “read the pictures.” Since she doesn’t yet know how to read words, her teacher encouraged her to look at the illustrations in her books to understand what is happening in the story.For the Christian, we are blessed to have the Bible. But even if someone is unable to read it, they can still “read” the world. Just as my daughter is learning to understand a story through pictures before she can read words, so we can learn to see God’s glory in the world around us, even before we fully understand Scripture. Look at the pictures God paints every day—in our lives and in the world around us.My prayer is that God would continue to open the eyes of my daughter, my children, and your loved ones as well.“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” —Psalm 19:1https://open.substack.com/pub/diveindigdeep/p/read-the-pictures

1. Read the preaching text immediatelyGet the passage into your head as soon as possible so you can start wrestling with it and working on it. Dig in using basic hermeneutical skills and study Bibles. Begin forming your main points and the big idea while letting the text marinate in your mind.2. Study the text with resourcesExplore commentaries, Logos, and other trusted materials, and check what pastors you respect have written or preached online. Make discoveries, but don’t get lost in the content—stay focused on your big idea and keep your congregation in mind. Use these insights to solidify your main points and refine your message.3. Apply the text to your lifeLive out the sermon personally. Work through the applications in your own life so you can speak to your congregation from experience, not just theory. Reflect on how it relates to your listeners, and then put it all into writing in a way that is practical, relatable, and spiritually grounded.https://open.substack.com/pub/diveindigdeep/p/my-short-and-simple-sermon-writing

“Every sermon was an opportunity for Spurgeon to turn the diamond of the gospel and reveal a new facet of the glory of God in all its brilliance and beauty.” — Geoffrey ChangAs a lay preacher, I take every opportunity to preach very seriously. While I’m on rotation, there’s no guarantee of a preaching “career.” And although this could be said of any preacher or pastor, I am especially aware that each opportunity is given—not required, obligated, or expected. That uncertainty can make each preaching opportunity feel fragile and fleeting.It can be tempting to view this as a weakness or a source of discouragement. Without a regular place in the pulpit, I easily feel the lack of stability or assurance that others may have. But God uses my weakness so that His strength can shine through. It compels me to rely fully on the Word, not on the assumption that I’ll have another opportunity, and to preach with a greater sense of urgency and dependence.And to use Spurgeon’s terms, it allows me to savor every turn of the diamond of the gospel. It frees me to hold it up, earnest and urgent, and say, “Look!”https://open.substack.com/pub/diveindigdeep/p/every-opportunity

We talked about physical intimacy recently in our marriage small group. I already shared three reasons why I felt it was important to have the conversation. The emphasis was on not isolating physical intimacy to the bedroom, but knowing that the entirety of our relationship contributes to the intimate relations we have as husbands and wives. Here are the prompts we used, and each individual had to share one they thought they were doing well in and one they thought they could improve on:Love each other intimately by living in a healthy relationship of leadership/submission/complimenting/communicating.Love each other intimately by emotional AND physical connection.Love each other intimately by serving each other, giving more, denying yourself and not being selfish.Love each other intimately by loving exclusively (either time w other women or other things like work or tv or home or hobbies).I thank God for friends who share our faith and are open to sharing all aspects of their lives with us.These points were adapted from The Redeemed Man, edited by Joel R. Beeke, Richard D. Phillips, and Paul M. Smalley. Pick up your copy at Reformation Heritage Books, and use code DIVEINDIGDEEP for 10% off.https://diveindigdeep.substack.com/p/how-we-talked-about-our-sex-lives

We talked about physical intimacy today in our marriage small group. It’s a group where we meet with other married couples (though we’re open to dating couples as well!) to discuss what it looks like to live as married Christians and to pray for one another.In Monday night’s newsletter — or Tuesday morning, more likely, by the time you read it — I’ll share what I used as our discussion prompt. For now, here’s why I felt it was important to have that conversation:We want to be holistic Christians. Christianity encompasses our entire lives — including our physical intimacy lives. While we don’t need to talk about it every time we meet, we also can’t ignore that physical intimacy has an important place in marriage.Physical intimacy is good and a gift from God. Christians should be able to talk about it openly and rightly with one another — not only for encouragement, but also to combat the lies the world tells us about physical intimacy.If not in our marriage group, where else will we talk about it? While you can discuss it in gender-specific small groups, those conversations are naturally one-sided. A marriage small group should be a safe, private space to share about sensitive topics like this.I thank God for friends who share our faith and are open to sharing all aspects of their lives with us.https://diveindigdeep.substack.com/p/why-we-talked-about-our-sex-lives

https://diveindigdeep.substack.com/p/growth-in-groups

Script:I have a new review of Logos Bible Software, and as I was getting ready to film it, I started wondering how I was supposed to pronounce Logos. I did a quick search and found two blog posts by Mark Ward.In his first post, he says it's pronounced Lah-gahs. His first reason is that most evangelical Christian pastors, Bible teachers, and students (the people who buy Logos products) know at least a few Greek words—words which, effectively, have become English words (among Christians, anyway). He explains that Christians know logos means “word,” and this is clearly what Logos Bible Software is getting at: putting you in contact with the words of Scripture. In his experience (though admittedly not universal), Christians pronounce the word with two short O’s: LAH-GAHS.In his second post, he gives a major update after having worked four years at Logos Bible Software (now called Faithlife). He says there’s no standard pronunciation of Logos at the company—the same person might even change pronunciations in the course of a sentence.He now suggests that people should say whatever best suits their purpose and meets the needs of their audience. If you’re speaking to people who know Greek—especially those who learned it in a seminary using a system where omicron is a short “o” (like in the word not)—then say LAH-GAHS.But for people who don’t know Greek at all, or who haven’t been exposed to the churchified, anglicized use of the word logos, they won’t know how to spell Logos unless you use two long O’s. So, he’s picked up the habit of saying LOW-GOESS, at least when it’s helpful.So, you can pronounce it both ways.I’m thankful for Mark Ward, his work at Logos, and the rest of the Faithlife team for their ministry!Shownotes:https://byfaithweunderstand.com/2011/08/19/how-to-pronounce-logos-in-logos-bible-software/https://blog.logos.com/2015/11/how-to-pronounce-logos-and-other-important-evangelical-words/https://www.diveindigdeep.com/blog/recommendations/logosLinks:https://www.diveindigdeep.com/https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeephttps://www.youtube.com/@diveindigdeep https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

Visit my Logos Partner Page for an extended free trial (get an extra month free):https://www.diveindigdeep.com/blog/recommendations/logos-partner-offerScript:Imagine having everything you need for Bible study, including your personal library, searchable and accessible with a keystroke. This is Logos – a powerful and comprehensive Bible study platform designed for those who want to deeply explore and engage with God’s Word.Seamless AccessLogos offers seamless access to all the resources you need for in-depth study. While I often visit various websites to aid me in my Bible study, Logos provides everything I need in one place. This saves me time, eliminating the need to jump between different helps like Bible translations, dictionaries, commentaries, and original language tools.As you expand both your physical and digital library, Logos becomes even more valuable. It’s a worthwhile investment, as they offer free eBooks and significant discounts on publishers, authors, topics, individual titles, and even entire libraries throughout the year. Plus, any books or libraries you purchase are yours to keep forever, even if you decide to pause or cancel your subscription.Indispensable FeaturesAs a layperson without formal seminary training, Logos has become indispensable to me. It has greatly improved my sermon preparation and Sunday School lessons. It has also enriched my personal Bible study, making me more confident as I preach, teach, and study Scripture.One of my favorite features is the Factbook, which functions like an encyclopedia, that draws from a combination of Logos provided data and resources in your Library. This makes it incredibly easy to search for nearly any biblical or theological term.Engage with God’s WordLogos will change how you engage with God’s Word, and is the gold standard resource for those who want to dive in and dig deep into Scripture.Shownotes:https://www.diveindigdeep.com/blog/recommendations/logosLinks:https://www.diveindigdeep.com/https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeephttps://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

How do you trust in Jesus?Script:This was a question asked by a young student in AWANA, and I was caught off guard. I gave my typical ABCs of the gospel — admit you are a sinner, believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins, and confess Him as the resurrected King over your life. I said that trusting in Jesus is something that happens in our hearts, and it’s God who makes it happen. But I wasn’t totally satisfied with my answer — and looking back, I don’t think she was either.I gave it some thought, and here’s what I think I should have said.I could have opened with: Well, who do you trust? Maybe your parents — your mom and dad. What does that look like? When I trust them, it means I believe they’ll do what they say. I believe they love me. I believe they’ll take care of me. I believe that we’re family.So, to trust in Jesus means you believe what He says — one of those things being that we’re sinners. You believe He is who He says He is: the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins. And you believe what He did, and what He tells you to do — to confess Him as the resurrected King over your life.To trust is to actively put your faith — your belief — in who someone says they are, what they say they’ll do, and what that means for you.I trust that God will use whatever sliver of gospel hope I had in my answer and use it for His glory, as He always does. Even inadequate answers can receive amazing grace. I won’t be caught off guard next time — and I’m glad to have learned a better answer to this question myself.Shownotes:AWANA Messagehttps://www.diveindigdeep.com/blog/messages/spirit-and-truthKids Q&A Playlisthttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_vN-vM53O-8cmwa4fcIaJk6GhnnjrgxXPreaching and Teaching:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL761H3XZh_ND_RS09G8_SxPmcrw82GSVIAll Messageshttps://www.diveindigdeep.com/messagesLinks:https://www.diveindigdeep.com/https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeephttps://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

Larry Sanger is the co-founder of Wikipedia, and he recently published his testimony online. TGC’s Trevin Wax shared his highlights, and I wanted to share my reflections and resolutions after reading it.Script:First, I am resolved to answer questions. I teach high school Sunday School, and Sanger specifically pointed out that his questions as a youth were met with contempt. I don’t want to be a teacher who discourages questions. Instead, I want to encourage them.Second, I am resolved to witness well. Sanger said that some of his favorite people were Christians, and some of them were extremely intelligent. He found this strange, and I want to be that type of believer! I often forget that how we live really does have an impact on people’s perception of faith.Third, I am resolved to preach and teach God’s Word. Sanger was surprised that the Bible could withstand interrogation — and that it was interesting to him! I want to preach and teach in such a way that God’s Word can speak for itself and remain engaging.Video and transcript:https://www.diveindigdeep.com/blog/how-does-a-skeptical-philosopher-become-a-christianShownotes:https://larrysanger.org/2025/02/how-a-skeptical-philosopher-becomes-a-christian/https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/wikipedias-founder-converts-christianity/Links:https://www.diveindigdeep.com/https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeephttps://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

Don’t Preach a CommentaryScript:This was the title of a Gospel-Centered Discipleship article by Michael C. Lyons — and I absolutely agree with him. He states three symptoms of Bible commentary preaching, and I want to interact with each of them.The first symptom is appealing to Hebrew and Greek. While I always look at the original languages, it’s true that this often seems to be more helpful for the person in the pulpit than for the people in the pew. I want to preach in such a way that underscores the truth without undermining our English Bibles.The second symptom is quoting all the authors. If you’ve followed me, you can be sure that I’ve read a lot of material to study for my sermons. But I want to keep things fresh — and I’m encouraged to say what I have seen in Scripture with my own words.The third symptom is preaching nuts and bolts. I do practice big idea preaching, and this is a reminder that the congregation can easily get lost in the details. As I write my sermons, I need to guide my hearers to what’s most important.Shownoteshttps://gcdiscipleship.com/article-feed/dont-preach-a-commentaryLinkshttps://www.diveindigdeep.com/https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeephttps://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

"But the countercultural truth is that preachers are more like opera singers than like athletes." -- David MathisScript:"Preachers are more like opera singers than athletes." This is a quote by David Mathis from his Desiring God article No One’s Born to Preach: The Myth and Truth of Pulpit ‘Gifting’. He explains that while athletes peak in their teens and twenties, musicians and singers often peak much later in life. He encourages preachers to continue developing, cultivating, and practicing their gifting. I can relate to this, and I want to share my experience as both a worship leader and a preacher. I’ve been a worship leader longer than I’ve been a preacher, and I believe I’ve gotten better over time. Yes, it takes practice, but I’ve also had the opportunity to lead in a variety of settings: Sunday mornings, larger events like retreats, and smaller settings like prayer meetings. As a preacher, I’m getting my reps in on Sunday mornings, but also in different areas, such as speaking to children and teaching in Sunday School. To my fellow preachers, I recommend giving this article a read. I pray that God continues to grow me as I steward my gifts of worship leading and preaching for His glory.Shownoteshttps://www.desiringgod.org/articles/no-ones-born-to-preachLinkshttps://www.diveindigdeep.com/https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeephttps://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

"I love theology, but theology isn’t meant to live in your head; it’s meant to get into your bones." -- Ian Harber Script: "Theology isn’t meant to live in your head; it’s meant to get into your bones." This is a quote from Ian Harber in his interview with Ivan Mesa, On My Shelf: Life and Books with Ian Harber by TGC. He shares this in the context of reading old books that focus on the Christian life. He mentions On the Christian Life by John Calvin, which I also resonated deeply with. The themes of holiness and obedience are always relevant, no matter the context, and it’s an excellent example of how Reformed theology remains both relevant and applicable. Even affliction and suffering are accounted for. I highly recommend giving this book—and the article—a read. Shownotes https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/on-my-shelf-ian-harber/ https://www.diveindigdeep.com/blog/book-reviews/on-the-christian-life https://www.crossway.org/books/on-the-christian-life-case/ Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

"We should instead imagine culture as a language we all speak. It’s communication. We constantly receive culture and are formed by it. Every book, song, dinner, and habit can become a channel of blessing to the world. Each offers an opportunity to witness to the hope of Jesus." -- Dennis Greeson and Benjamin T. Quinn YouTube https://youtu.be/20n5LJ_KF-k Shownotes https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/culture-point-christ/ Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

I’m close enough to see the Pasadena fires from my work at the hospital. I’m humbled to have my home. I’m grateful for the safety of my family. I’m praying for the first responders and firefighters. I’m mourning with those who have lost more than I know. As someone who values books, it is not lost to me that they are just words on paper. The books themselves are of little value — but the stories, the ideas, and the messages are what moves us. That’s the power that’s worth preserving. God used the imagery of fire to describe how his word would burn up the deceiving lies and empty promises of the false prophets. I pray that this would be a wake up call for all of LA. My heart is heavy, but my eyes are opened. Jesus Christ burns bright. As soon as I finished recording this video, I got a text to be ready for potential evacuation. We’re okay — but the churches in my network as well as personal friends and family have evacuated and lost homes. Your prayers are much appreciated. https://youtu.be/9US39fYDe60 Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

"Friend, if you need to be glued to your manuscript while preaching the gospel (which I assume you do in one way or another every week!), you might be in the wrong profession." -- Sean DeMars Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ44KyD2g1c&list=PL761H3XZh_NBALFHF5xBssWTpShNKgizz&index=1&pp=gAQBiAQB Shownotes https://www.9marks.org/article/helpful-hacks-for-preaching-from-a-manuscript/ Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

"Sometimes, when I hear professing Christians who have just been diagnosed with a disease or suffered a terrible loss or experienced a calamity say, 'Where is God? Why would a good God let this happen?' I ask myself, 'What Bible do they read?'" -- John Piper Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pbuLR1Rx_wU Shownotes https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/countless-dangers-continual-joy Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

"While Mary’s first Christmas looked far from perfect—and far from what she might’ve hoped for—it was exactly what God had planned." -- Ann Swindell Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/kfZgX51qqy4 Shownotes https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christmas-expectations-ruined/ Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

"Ask yourself, brother or sister in Christ: How do I talk about my church and other churches? What do my words reveal about my pattern of thoughts and deep-seated attitudes toward Jesus’s bride?" -- David Mathis Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vpQplVGWn90 Shownotes https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-the-church-like-jesus https://www.desiringgod.org/books/workers-for-your-joy Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

“The most significant contributions to the kingdom often come from those who never stand in the spotlight.” -- Trevin Wax Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/31h50BZ-QDg Shownotes https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/church-unsung-hero/ https://www.ivpress.com/the-thrill-of-orthodoxy Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

The reality of it all floods my mind. There are no evangelical celebrities here, only doorkeepers. It comes with regret. Oh that I had lived with my heart more aligned with the psalmist! “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” -- Natalie Brand Watch the video on YouTube https://youtu.be/sq-lSwvPbbE Shownotes https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/heaven-has-one-celebrity https://www.christianfocus.com/products/3158/the-scuttlebutt-letters Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords

Rather than saying we’ll “spend eternity in heaven,” it’s far more biblical to state we’ll “spend eternity on the new earth.” -- Benjamin L. Gladd Watch the video on YouTube https://youtu.be/7ZOue61BDu4 Shownotes https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/wont-spend-eternity-heaven/ https://www.ivpress.com/from-adam-and-israel-to-the-church https://www.ivpress.com/essential-studies-in-biblical-theology Links https://www.diveindigdeep.com/ https://newsletter.diveindigdeep.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diveindigdeep https://www.youtube.com/@soundwordsfm https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/soundwords