December 2010
3 posts
He's Pastor-Man! Personal Blog by Daryl Crouch
Devout followers of Christ and disconnected nonbelievers alike have a certain picture of what a pastor should be like. Whether I’m on the golf course, attending a community event, or among “church-people,” the tone of the conversation usually changes when I’m introduced as a preacher or pastor. People aren’t sure what to call me…Brother? Doctor? Pastor? Mister? Reverend? Sometimes it’s just...
Constructive Conflict - Personal Blog of Daryl...
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. Most of us deal with conflict by avoiding it. We ignore it. We stuff it. We sweep it under the carpet. We put off the tough conversations. Why? Because they are tough. But I recently heard leadership speaker John Maxwell say, “Shovel the pile while it is small.” Every relationship is full of obstacles and challenges that create conflict. Here are a few steps that...
How to Get a New Pastor - Personal Blog of Daryl...
It’s one thing (and often a difficult thing) to find a new pastor. It’s something quite different to “get” a new pastor. So many expectations exist. How is he like the last guy? What will he do about my priorities? Does he like what I like? What will change in my area of interest? What do we have in common? How will he click with my friends? The list of questions and expectations is...
November 2010
3 posts
Preparing for Mike Laughrun—Personal Blog by Daryl...
God often moves us into unexpected territory in order to accomplish His purposes in our lives. As we read in 1 Samuel 16 about how God moved David into a position of leadership over Israel, here are a few observations that I hope will be helpful as we walk through the affirmation process for Mike Laughrun.
(1) Although David was unknown to many, he was never unknown to God. God had been...
See What God Sees
As we read 1 Samuel 16 we discover a few important truths that can help us as we prepare to receive God’s leader for Tri-Cities Baptist Church. (1) God is our Leader. He led Samuel with gentleness to His man. He will do the same for us. (2) God’s guidance is specific. He led Samuel to “the one whom I designate to you”—1 Samuel 16:3b. (3) God deserves our greatest attention and...
20 Takeaways - Personal Blog of Daryl Crouch
20 Takeaways Tom Bodett once said, “In school you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson” (Johnny Hunt, Building Your Leadership Resume, 177). Solomon wrote of wisdom, “To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O naïve ones, discern prudence; and, O fools, discern wisdom”—Proverbs 8: 4-5. Jesus said, “Behold, I...
October 2010
1 post
Meribah
How answered prayer can leave us short of God’s best.
Meribah was the place that the children of Israel got thirsty and began to complain to Moses. In Exodus 17 we see the people “quarreled with Moses” demanding water. They “grumbled against Moses” and challenged his motives in leading them out of Egypt only to die of thirst. So Moses cried out to God and God provided water for the...
September 2010
1 post
Preparing for Rain
In light of the coalition of forces coming against him, King Jehoshaphat (873-848 B.C.) “was afraid and he turned his attention to seek the Lord; and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah”—2 Chronicles 20:3. This warrior king knew that his opposition was too big for him to handle. He knew his personal abilities were not enough to secure victory over the enemy. But he...
August 2010
1 post
kuh-myoo-ni-tee
That word is easy to say, but difficult to experience. Too many of us hang out in crowds but we never really connect with others. Isolation has rushed into the church as broken relationships are scattered all around us. Yet we were never meant to follow Jesus alone. Jesus knew this, so He prayed, “…that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may...
July 2010
1 post
Not Prayer! - Personal Blog of Daryl Crouch
“So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?”—Matthew 26:40. Jesus’ own inner circle had trouble persevering in prayer during Jesus’ most difficult season of life. Honestly, most of us should be slow to throw stones because we have the same trouble. Persevering in prayer is a challenge for most of us for one simple reason: Like the disciples on that fateful night, most followers...
June 2010
2 posts
Nicaragua - Note from Daryl Crouch
Our time with FBC, El Realjo has been very good. We worshiped with them on Sunday and then did about 2 1/2 hours of evangelism training with them Sunday night. On Monday we all did door-to-door evangelism and saw many people pray to receive Christ. Today we will begin 3 days of pastor/wife training, vbs, sports camp, more door-to-door, and services each night. Please pray souls will...
The Bikini Question - Personal Blog of Daryl...
Sports Illustrated, Victoria Secrets and other leaders in pop culture have established new standards in ladies’ swimwear over the last several years. Parents of girls are often confronted with the big question of summer, “Can I get a bikini this year?” Preteen and teenage girls want to know when they can sport a two-piece for summer fun. This may not be the most important question in...
May 2010
3 posts
Come Before Winter - Personal Blog of Daryl Crouch
Come Before Winter Practical Reminders for Those Who Want to Serve Servants Have you ever been interested in really getting to know a great leader or someone you respect from a distance? Well, 2 Timothy 4 gives us some intimate insight into the heart of the greatest church-planter theologian the New Testament church has ever known. The apostle Paul wrote a very personal letter to his son in...
Busybody - Personal Blog of Daryl Crouch
biz-ee-bod-ee: preoccupied with activity; bustle about, meddle
To be “busy” means to be engaged in action. “Business” means purposeful activity. “Busy work” is work that appears to be productive but actually only keeps one occupied. But then we come to a busybody. A “busybody” is one who is preoccupied with activity…more specifically, we know a busybody as one who meddles in the business of...
Our Future is History!
Ever wonder why fortune tellers work out of dumpy houses? If they could tell the future and if their future told fortunes, it seems they could upgrade into nicer digs. But as depressed as the fortune telling business may seem, many people have a natural craving to know what’s next. But God has called us to live by faith and not by sight. Several months ago, our church family experienced...
March 2010
4 posts
Watch
Watch
Watch
Watch
February 2010
2 posts
How to “Experience God” Now
Over the next several weeks, the Tri-Cities family will explore a study written by Dr. Henry Blackaby over 20 years ago called “Experiencing God.” This biblical study confronts us with basic truths intended to transform the way we follow Jesus.
Most of us want to know God more intimately and follow Him more faithfully. We have a hunger for God, but too often our faith experiences leave us...
LightYear 2010
Following Jesus is dangerous…so dangerous that it costs us our very lives. In other words, Jesus’ call for us to make multiplying followers of Him at home, across the street, and around the world is a very personal mandate. We can’t say “yes” to that call without it affecting us at a very practical level.
Jesus always got personal…He still gets close. And His first followers took Him...