As we live through this global pandemic, we all could use some good news. Thankfully, the message of Good Friday and Easter Sunday provide the best news ever. In this video, I (Rick) seek to answer two good questions that…
Category: Personal
Running with Endurance
Even though the Heritage campus is closed, our school is still open. Students are working hard to finish their courses. But now instead of being in class, they are online. Over the past week, I've been part of several Zoom…
Make the Most of Your Time
In the midst of this pandemic, I've heard from a number of students who are feeling disoriented and out of sync. Like many others, they find themselves stuck at home. Rhythms and routines are gone. Welcome to life in limbo.…
Remembering Zora in the Pandemic
Two years ago, this Saturday, Zora Kightley won her battle with cancer. It had been a long, protracted battle, one demanding patience, resilience, and faith. She, and her faithful husband Jim, withstood the devastating blows of bad news from oncologists. …
Divine Detours
It's a strange feeling to preach to an empty room, but that's the experience many pastors are having these days. In recent days, I have recorded a few sermons in virtually empty rooms. I also wrote a blog post giving…
The Church in Action (Acts 8)
Acts 8 divides into two halves, both focused on the ministry of Philip, one of the seven leaders chosen to serve the widows in the Jerusalem church (6:5). The first half of the chapter tells of Philip’s ministry in Samaria…
The Preacher and Laziness
The following is a chapter from my book, The Heart of the Preacher. “Must be nice to have a job where you only have to work one day a week.” Like many pastors, I’ve grimaced whenever I’ve heard someone make…
The Church in Action (Acts 7)
Acts 7 is the longest in the book of Acts (60 verses), following the shortest (chapter 6 has 15 verses). In chapter 7 we hear Stephen’s defense before the Sanhedrin. Having been charged with “speaking against this holy place and…
Praise and Prayer Update (March 6, 2020)
As I write this update, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" here in Cambridge. I shoveled 6 to 8 inches off my driveway this morning. It's actually quite beautiful but we are still rooting for spring! I'm rejoicing…
The Church in Action (Acts 6)
This shorter chapter serves several purposes: 1) it gives further evidence of the church’s internal life and external rapid growth in Jerusalem; 2) it introduces us to Stephen—a man who will be prominent in the next chapter; 3) it continues…