John Pleasnick

church

Finding a New Place to Sit

I remember, long ago, when Beth and I were sitting in the multi-purpose room of Bella Vista Middle School, getting ready for worship service to start. We were on the left side, just off the aisle, when a couple in their mid-fifties approached us and said, "Ummm,

culture

I'm Glad to Be Alive Today

I was on YouTube the other day and its algorithm suggested a movie trailer to me – Zero A.D.: The Birth of Christ. And since I like movie trailers almost more than watching movies, I clicked play. There were many things that struck me as I watched Angel Studios'

Bible

Learning from the Second String

There are many godly men and women in the Bible. The list is much longer than Abraham, Joseph, Deborah, Ruth, David, Josiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Esther, John the Baptist, Mary, Martha, Peter, John, James, and Paul. Those are some of the names that come readily to mind whenever you think of

church

What Happens in the Heat

The weather forecast after we arrived home from a trip to the northwest was not encouraging. For the last two weeks, we'd enjoyed highs in the 80's, and we came home to a boiler!! When I got home that evening, I walked the yard to survey

church

Can I Wear Shorts to Church?

ALERT: on Saturday, the temperature will climb to approximately 415°. Sunday will cool down to a balmy 101°. When you arrive this Sunday, expect to see a lot of people wearing shorts and flip-flops to church. If you grew up outside of California and the Pacific Northwest, or in

culture

Why Vacation is *almost* Biblical

One of the things I appreciate about summer is how the pace of life and ministry changes. School goes on break. Community groups modify their schedule. Youth ministry has pool hangouts. And most people choose to take some time off work. It's contrary to the culture we'

theology

The Mortification of Sin

Last Sunday night, I had the joy of hearing Patrick Cho preach Colossians 3:8-11 and how we're to be killing sin. At the start of the sermon, he referenced a classic work on the topic, written by John Owen, called The Mortification of Sin. Mortification is

culture

10 Reasons Why Christians Should Vote

The New Testament knew nothing of democracy so what does the Bible say about the Christian’s responsibility to vote?

culture

Missed Opportunities

Perhaps you don't need to be more productive?

church

Would you survive an audit?

Aggressive. Bullying. Hostile. Intimidating.

culture

Ten Things You Can’t Do in Heaven

An incomplete list of what you’ll leave behind

tech

The Cost of a Printer is not the Printer

A cost comparison of three Brother color laser printers

culture

On the Cruelty of Man

We live in an age of death. Journalists seem bound to report every wrongful death that occurs around the world. You get the feeling that we live in a dangerous time. Whether at a concert in Manchester, in the wasteland of Aleppo, or in your own neighborhood, the reports continue

church

How to Find a Church

A short guide for those looking to move to a new church, whether far away or nearby.

culture

I'm never doing enough.

The person who hits 6pm and says he accomplished all that must be done is either ignorant or forgetful.

church

Church — the one place you shouldn’t be surprised

I can remember sitting in church as a new Christian. I was in my second year of college at a very liberal university. I don’t remember how I found the church back then, as dial-up modems were still expensive and very few churches were online at the time.

theology

You are Indestructible

I was standing in a backyard outside Berlin last week. Four men gathered around, after dinner, chatting in the cool air. All of us serve as pastors. One man described how, just before Christmas, a man at his church had learned about a cancerous mass in his chest and immediately

culture

A Short Guide to Inerrancy at SoCal Christian Colleges and Seminaries

Did Jonah really get swallowed by a big fish? Did New Testament writers use pseudonyms (fake names)?

culture

Resolved, to think more about big things

I did something crazy this week.

church

Gospel Opportunity in Nigeria

The Economist charts how the world population will likely look in 2050. More than half of global growth will come from Africa. At the top of that list is Nigeria, currently the 7th most populous country in the world.

preaching

What is Expository Preaching?

When Paul exhorted Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Tim 4:2), what did he mean? Most simply, we could say that the meat and potatoes of a sermon should be the Bible. This is the goal of all expository preaching.

theology

It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine!)

the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7)

theology

What Could Be Better Than the Gift of Healing?

Spoiler Alert Healings, as seen on TV, are not of God, or in alignment with any part of the Bible. The sermon this Sunday focused on what the Bible says about four amazing spiritual gifts: prophecy, tongues, healing and miracles. Each of them is stamped with an expiration date. 1

theology

No One is Really a Cessationist

Standing theologically opposite to charismatics, pentecostals and continuationists are cessationists. But did you know that cessationists don't believe that the gifts have all ceased or that the sign gifts are truly done?

theology

Every Arminian is a Calvinist at Heart

Have you ever noticed how many prayers attribute God full power of life and salvation, no matter the theological persuasion of the person praying?