by Dr. Paul Chappell | Jan 11, 2012 | Christian Life, Media/Resources
One of the first books I received as a college student was Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon. This was the text for my Pastoral Theology class and has been one of my favorites throughout the years. Although I have probably read Spiritual Leadership by Oswald...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Jan 9, 2012 | Ministry Leadership
January is a unique time of the year—one of my favorites. I love the momentum started on the first of the year and carried throughout the month. As a pastor, I strive to take advantage of this momentum not only in my own life, but also in the lives of those I’m...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Jan 5, 2012 | Christian Life, Media/Resources, Ministry Leadership
It’s hard to believe that I began this blog just over five years ago. As I recap the last year of blogging, I want to thank each reader for your time over 2011. It is always my goal that the time you spend here is an investment—providing help and encouragement for...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Jan 4, 2012 | Christian Life, Media/Resources
One of my greatest passions as a pastor is to see people become firmly rooted in a personal walk with God through consistently spending time with Him. For the past several years, I have written daily devotions, available through email and web, to encourage growing...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Dec 31, 2011 | Christian Life, Ministry Leadership
I am an advocate of setting goals before the beginning of a new year. Philippians 3:13 encourages us to be constantly “reaching forth unto those things which are before.” In my experience, setting goals is crucial to this forward achievement. Yet, we all...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Dec 27, 2011 | Christian Life, Ministry Leadership
I always feel like a new year is an opportunity to have a fresh start in so many areas: with my Lord, my family, and our church family. Here are a few things that I have been pondering, and I trust that you will take these to heart and use them in your devotional time...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Dec 27, 2011 | Christian Life, Ministry Leadership
Every December, I set goals for the New Year. You probably do too. Goals not only direct our efforts, but they stimulate them as well. As the adage says, “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” Before you finalize your goals however, just one question:...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Dec 24, 2011 | Christian Life
Christmas—the first Christmas—was a package of miracles. A virgin birth, God clothing Himself in human flesh, the Father giving His amazing love to an undeserving world, Christ making Himself poor that we might be made rich. It’s an unspeakable gift that I can’t begin...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Dec 22, 2011 | Christian Life
Philippians 2:6–8 reveals the very thought process of Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in...
by Dr. Paul Chappell | Dec 20, 2011 | Christian Life, Ministry Leadership
God’s greatest gifts are sometimes wrapped in dark packages. We take one look at the package and decide we don’t want the gift. But, in reality, under the dark paper are the gifts we desperately need. Paul received one of these gifts. He called it “a thorn in the...