Newsletter Archive

    MonMondayJunJune7th2010 Taking a Break
    Posted Monday, June 07 2010 @ 12 PM
    Taking a Break  / James MacDonald  

     

    Hey, I want you to know that this is my last entry until after the summer. The plan is to re-launch the blog in September—new and improved. I believe that God has some great things in store for the future. Read On.


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    ThuThursdayJunJune3rd2010 Here’s the Bottom Line about Forgiveness
    Posted Thursday, June 03 2010 @ 12 PM

    Here’s the Bottom Line about Forgiveness / James MacDonald  

     

    We’ve covered some powerful ground on the subject of forgiveness, but I don’t want to leave without saying this. The bottom line for you and your family is: There are no enduring relationships without forgiveness. Read on.


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    TueTuesdayJunJune1st2010 Have the Funeral: I Choose to Forgive
    Posted Tuesday, June 01 2010 @ 12 PM
    Have the Funeral: I Choose to Forgive  / James MacDonald  

     

    Are you serious about sin? Because God is. And the people of Harvest Bible Chapel did some serious soul-searching and sin confession to put unforgiveness to death. Take a look at this video of the funeral we held at the Elgin Campus for those sins.


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    ThuThursdayMayMay27th2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 27, 2010 at 11:30 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, May 27 2010 @ 4 PM

    How Do Families Forgive? / James MacDonald  

     

    I’ve been thinking a lot lately about forgiveness. The past two weekends at Harvest, I preached a series on forgiveness that God used in a powerful way. It seems that some of the most difficult people to forgive are those closest to you. So, how do families forgive? Check this out.


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    MonMondayMayMay24th2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 24, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, May 24 2010 @ 2 PM
    God's Word is Like . . . / James MacDonald  

     

    People often ask me if I have a life verse.

    If I do, it is Jeremiah 15:16, "Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart." It's kind of my testimony. I was going nowhere in a hurry and I found this book God wrote and began to feast on it like a soldier devouring his last meal. When the Word of God is absent from my life my heart is hungry. When I feast on the Bread of Life, my heart overflows with joy. Read On.


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    ThuThursdayMayMay20th2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 20, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, May 20 2010 @ 11 AM
    The Role of Elders / James MacDonald  

     

    Looking back over more than 20 years of church ministry, I see how the role of the Elders has changed at Harvest. But one thing should never change. See what that is . . .


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    MonMondayMayMay17th2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 17, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, May 17 2010 @ 1 PM

    I Choose God's Love / James MacDonald 

     

     

    I've been working with people long enough to know that when I say God is love some people pull back and look at me sideways, "Really? God is love? Well, if that's true, then how could He have allowed . . ."—and out comes a painful story. Are you like that? Read On.


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    FriFridayMayMay14th2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 14, 2010 at 10:30 A.M.
    Posted Friday, May 14 2010 @ 11 AM

    Preaching Like Jesus / James MacDonald

     

     

    Preach the authority of God's Word without apology. Our authority comes from the Word, not from us. Read on.


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    ThuThursdayMayMay13th2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 13, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, May 13 2010 @ 11 AM

    Real Humility vs. Actual Humility   / James MacDonald

     

     

    Real humility vs. actual humility? What’s the difference? And why should you care? See for yourself.

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    MonMondayMayMay10th2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 10, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, May 10 2010 @ 9 AM

    Nothing Can Hurt Me   / James MacDonald

     


    I hope you are having a great week. I have been too busy--which in this case was not really avoidable.  Up early and in God's Word, I was reminded of a passage of Scripture from John 11 that always kind of rattles my windows.  

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    ThuThursdayMayMay6th2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 6, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, May 06 2010 @ 12 PM

    Staff Transitions  / James MacDonald

    My heart beats for pastors, so I am glad to share with you what God has allowed me to learn, often the hard way, about some practical areas of ministry. Here’s a word about staff transitions.

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    MonMondayMayMay3rd2010 New Post from Straight Up on May 3, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, May 03 2010 @ 12 PM

    When Your Life Is Hard / James MacDonald

    Hey, I’m down to the final week of the Walk in the Word Bus Tour. Albany (NY) on Tuesday night, Buffalo on Wednesday, and we finish in my homeland of Canada in Toronto, Ontario, on Thursday night.

     

    In every city, I have preached a message entitled, “Why Trials?” from the series When Life Is Hard. It resonates with everyone because you are either in a trial, coming out of a trial, or about to enter a trial. Knowing that to be true, I’d like to leave you with some hope for when your life is hard.

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    ThuThursdayAprApril29th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 29, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, April 29 2010 @ 12 PM

    On the Road Again / James MacDonald

    After a great weekend of preaching through Revelation 14, we left Tuesday morning on the second (final!) leg of our Bus Tour with Walk in the Word. This week, I have 40-some pastors from Harvest Bible Chapel traveling with me and the Worship Team. Praise God for the lives that He is changing for eternity in every city on the tour.

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    TueTuesdayAprApril27th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 27, 2010 at 12:00 P.M.
    Posted Tuesday, April 27 2010 @ 2 PM

    NCAA Tournament Results—and Prize Winners! / James MacDonald

    I am on my way to Indianapolis today on the Walk in the Word Bus Tour. And Indy is where the Final Four took place in March. So, this seemed like the best day to announce the winners of the March Madness bracket contest.

    To find out if you won, read on.

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    MonMondayAprApril26th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 26, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, April 26 2010 @ 10 AM

    Go Make Disciples  / James MacDonald


    “This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes” Psalm 118:23. Take a minute to see what God is doing through Harvest Bible Fellowship.

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    ThuThursdayAprApril22nd2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 22, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, April 22 2010 @ 11 AM

    The Faith Test . . . and the Faith Final Exam / James MacDonald

    Last week when I challenged you to consider your trials joy, I said there would be more to come. Here it is.

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    MonMondayAprApril19th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 19, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, April 19 2010 @ 1 PM
    God at Work on the Road / James MacDonald

    Hey, I just got home from the first of two bus tours with Walk in the Word. 10 cities in 11 days.  Great time, but it’s good to be home.  I preached at Harvest over the weekend. And I’ll be teaching at Harvest University for the next three days . . . then back in the pulpit next weekend. On April 27, we travel to Indianapolis to kick off the second bus tour.  8 more cities in 10 days.  I’m fired up just thinking about it.

    My son, Landon, put together a video blog of our trip.  See what God’s been doing. Check this out . . .

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    ThuThursdayAprApril15th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 15, 2010 at 12:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, April 15 2010 @ 1 PM
    On Seminary / James MacDonald

    Seminary is great. I have spent a lot of time enrolled in and speaking at seminaries. So, I have been asked, “If you could custom design a seminary program for training pastors, what would it look like?” To me, it’s about learning how you use the tools.

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    MonMondayAprApril12th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 12, 2010 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, April 12 2010 @ 12 PM
    Consider Your Trials . . . What? / James MacDonald


    I’d like to nominate James 1:2 as one of the most outrageous statements in the Bible. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” Count it all . . . joy? Yes. Check it out.

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    ThuThursdayAprApril8th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 8, 2010 at 12:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, April 08 2010 @ 12 PM
    What Should a Mother Church Consider When Planting Churches? / James MacDonald
     
    We just celebrated ten years of church planting at Harvest Bible Chapel. By God’s grace, we have planted 45 churches in the past ten years. So, I am often asked what should a church consider before it plants a church. Check this out.

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    TueTuesdayAprApril6th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 6, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Tuesday, April 06 2010 @ 12 AM
    Why Trials? / James MacDonald
     

    Hey, I am on the road today heading toward the first stop of a bus tour with Walk in the Word. You can follow the trip at WalkintheWord.com/bustour. Please join us at a stop on the tour if you live near one of those cities.

    Anyway, my message on the tour is about trials. Why trials, you might ask. Check it out . . .

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    MonMondayAprApril5th2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 5, 2010, at 12:00 P.M.
    Posted Monday, April 05 2010 @ 12 PM
    Everybody Rise and Sing/James MacDonald

    Can't leave Easter yet. Check this out.

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    ThuThursdayAprApril1st2010 New Post from Straight Up on April 1, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, April 01 2010 @ 10 AM
    He Is Risen / James MacDonald

    Tomorrow we will take some time to remember the amazing sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross through some powerful, yet reflective services at our church. I trust that you will set some time aside do the same. Romans 5:8 says, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

    It will be Good Friday. But Sunday’s coming! Take a minute to watch this clip from the Easter 2009 service at Harvest Bible Chapel featuring our choir and Heather Headley. . .

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    MonMondayMarMarch29th2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 29, 2010 at 1:00 P.M.
    Posted Monday, March 29 2010 @ 2 PM
    Christ on the Cross / James MacDonald

    Hey, let's do the greatest thing we can do as Christ followers.  Yeah, let's do it together as we approach another Easter.  It's just a few days away, so let's do it . . . let's focus on the cross! 

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    ThuThursdayMarMarch25th2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 25, 2010, at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, March 25 2010 @ 10 AM
    The Way God Speaks/James MacDonald

    I want to talk to you about the ways that we get a word from God, how frequently those different things happen, and how you can test and know that it’s really a word from God. Are you ready?

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    TueTuesdayMarMarch23rd2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 23, 2010, at 12:00 P.M.
    Posted Tuesday, March 23 2010 @ 12 PM

    Ten Churches in Ten Years/James MacDonald

    I have often said that healthy things grow. And back in 1999, Harvest Bible Chapel was really growing. So instead of continuing to add more services, the other Elders of the church and I believed that God gave us a vision to plant 10 churches in 10 years.

    At the time, that seemed almost unimaginable.

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    ThuThursdayMarMarch18th2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 18, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, March 18 2010 @ 11 AM

    March Madness Begins! / James MacDonald

    Hey, here’s a look at my bracket for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The games start today. Follow along and see how I do.

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    TueTuesdayMarMarch16th2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 16, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Tuesday, March 16 2010 @ 5 PM

    Join Our NCAA Tournament Pool For Big Prizes... / James MacDonald

    One of my favorite events on the sporting calendar is the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Ah, March Madness.  Every year since I can remember my friends and family fill out brackets and watch the upsets and buzzer beaters together.  It’s awesome. Find out right now how you can join our tournament pool. But you better move quick...the tournament starts Thursday.

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    MonMondayMarMarch15th2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 15, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, March 15 2010 @ 11 AM

    My Prayer Today / James MacDonald

     


    This prayer stands the test of time for me. I trust it will meet you where you are in your walk with Christ on this Monday.

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    ThuThursdayMarMarch11th2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 11, 2010 at 5:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, March 11 2010 @ 5 PM

    What Does the Book of Revelation Say to the Church Today?/ James MacDonald

     

    I’m almost half way through the book of Revelation. And in my 21 years at Harvest Bible Chapel, I have never taught through this book before. I have to tell you, I am deeply moved by this study.

     

    What does this book written by John written almost 2,000 years ago have to say to the church today? Take a look.

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    MonMondayMarMarch8th2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 8, 2010 at 1:00 P.M.
    Posted Monday, March 08 2010 @ 2 PM

    Five Distortions of the Gospel in our Day / James MacDonald

     

    My oldest son, Luke, sent me a link the other day that quoted A.W. Tozer and James Kennedy (both wonderful Christian leaders in their day). Both men believed that many, if not most, professing believers they encountered around the country were not actually saved. They were deeply troubled by the distortions of the gospel that were the result of trying to get the gospel to more people. Well intentioned yes, but eternally dangerous for the souls of men and woman who had not heard the whole message. The article prompted me to look back in my file for something I remembered writing a while back. Here it is . . .  What gospel have you heard and believed?

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    ThuThursdayMarMarch4th2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 4, 2010 at 4:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, March 04 2010 @ 5 PM

    Social Gospel vs. Proclamation Gospel / James MacDonald

     


    What Gospel are you preaching? Here is what I think about preaching the Gospel. Check it out.

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    MonMondayMarMarch1st2010 New Post from Straight Up on March 1, 2010 at 8:30 A.M.
    Posted Monday, March 01 2010 @ 9 AM

    Is Your Church Compelling? Part 1 / James MacDonald

     

    There is a deafening, non-stop discussion in evangelicalism about what the church needs to be (many of the most vocal are those who pastor no one and win very few to our Lord). On and on they pontificate about how church needs to be personally relevant and interesting and meet felt needs. About how it needs to be entertaining for people without making them uncomfortable. About how it needs to be cool and compassionate and connected and cultural and . . . Here's a "C" word for you, CHURCH NEEDS TO BE COMPELLING. Check out the rest . . .

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    ThuThursdayFebFebruary25th2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 25, 2010 at 5:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, February 25 2010 @ 5 PM

    God Uses Camp in Students’ Lives / James MacDonald

     

    Do you send your students to camp? If you don’t, you should. God uses that time away from their regular routines, cell phones, and Facebook to speak to them in a powerful way. They hear His Word and respond to it. Here’s what God did through Camp Harvest in our students’ lives this winter. Check out this video . . .

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    MonMondayFebFebruary22nd2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 22, 2010 at 9:30 A.M.
    Posted Monday, February 22 2010 @ 10 AM

    Holy Indifference: Learning to Say "I Don't Care" / James MacDonald


    I was doing an interview for the Chicago Tribune recently regarding Churches Helping Churches. The interviewer asked me if I observed in people a 'compassion fatigue?' As it was discussed, I learned that she meant the condition of caring so much about so many things that you are dulled in your capacity to care at all. Kind of like the guy who watches so many sports on so many channels for so much time that when the Super Bowl comes he can't even get excited about it.

    The Word of God, the Son of God, the people of God, and the lost are the summa cum laude's of care. We must never become fatigued in our compassion for these eternal priorities. To make sure I don't, here are some things I'm learning not to care about. . .

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    FriFridayFebFebruary19th2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 19, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Friday, February 19 2010 @ 11 AM

    A Speech That Could Save Tiger Woods / James MacDonald


    My good friend and Walk in the Word board member Mark DeMoss wrote this great statement imagining the best possible outcome for Tiger Woods’ public statement today.  It should not surprise us that pagans don’t know how to repent, but it does shock me that they don’t get the elements of true remorse right even when forced to mea culpa.  Hopefully for Tiger’s sake, he will include many of these elements. Check them out . . .

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    ThuThursdayFebFebruary18th2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 18, 2010 at 9:30 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, February 18 2010 @ 10 AM

    God Makes it Happen / James MacDonald

    Salvation, biblically speaking, is four things. Take a look at this clip from a recent message to see what they are. It is God Who makes it happen.

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    MonMondayFebFebruary15th2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 15, 2010 at 12:00 P.M.
    Posted Monday, February 15 2010 @ 2 PM

    Haiti Update / James MacDonald

    Hey, Mark Driscoll and I are on the phone almost every day putting together the plan to strategically utilize the funds that have been flowing into Churches Helping Churches. Keep in mind that our long term goal is 10,000 churches in America taking up a 'love offering' for any war torn, or disaster devastated area the Sunday following the event itself. Beyond that we hope to locate healthy churches reaching into these areas and assist them in their work. (that makes us "churches helping churches helping churches" :) )

    We know that our impact upon the church in Haiti has to be powerful and lasting for people to continue to trust us with their relief giving. To that end I have the following updates - check them out . . .

     

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    ThuThursdayFebFebruary11th2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 11, 2010 at 2:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, February 11 2010 @ 2 PM

    Encouragement: Lives Changed by the Gospel / James MacDonald

    Nothing will ever be as ‘culturally relevant’ as the Good News of the forgiveness of sin found in Jesus Christ. I don’t give a ‘public invitation’ every week, but we do periodically give folks a chance to profess the faith they have found in Christ in the biblical manner . . . baptism. Take six minutes and watch this . . .

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    TueTuesdayFebFebruary9th2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 9, 2010 at 1:30 P.M.
    Posted Tuesday, February 09 2010 @ 4 PM

    Starving Saints / James MacDonald

    It’s all true. Everywhere I go I hear it. Like a tragedy as visual as the starving peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, the saints in North America are starving. Most followers of Jesus Christ attend churches where the content of the message is geared toward wooing worldlings with watered down content that won’t offend. “Keep them comfortable,” “give them time,” “don’t upset or alienate,” these are the watchwords of watered down churches. Much more could be said about the unbiblical foundation for that kind of evangelism or how it mitigates against discipleship in the ones it does win, but the purpose of this post is to consider how it starves the saints. Check it out.

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    ThuThursdayFebFebruary4th2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 4, 2010 at 2:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, February 04 2010 @ 2 PM

    Is It Soup Yet? / James MacDonald

    A lot of well-meaning people respond to what they think is the Gospel, but sometimes they don’t have the whole story. Are all of the essential ingredients in your Gospel presentation? Check it out.

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    MonMondayFebFebruary1st2010 New Post from Straight Up on February 1, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, February 01 2010 @ 10 AM
    Jesus Will Return / James MacDonald

    I am leading my church family through the New Testament book of Revelation this year called “The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Learning to Hope in the King and the Kingdom.” We started last fall and we’re going verse by verse, week by week through this final book in the book God wrote. Now that we are really into it, I see that the timing of this study could not be more perfect in light of the current events of our day. Check it out.

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    ThuThursdayJanJanuary28th2010 New Post from Straight Up on January 28, 2010 at 3:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, January 28 2010 @ 3 PM

    Haiti Update / James MacDonald

    Hey, you know that my heart and mind are on the people of Haiti these days. Here’s a five minute update that I gave to our church family at Harvest Bible Chapel last weekend on what God is doing through the ministry of Churches Helping Churches. Check it out...

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    MonMondayJanJanuary25th2010 New Post from Straight Up on January 25, 2010 at 5:00 P.M.
    Posted Monday, January 25 2010 @ 5 PM

    Questions in a Time of Crisis / James MacDonald

    One week ago today, I was in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on an assessment trip for Churches Helping Churches. What I saw, what I smelled, what I felt, what I heard was almost overwhelming. It would have been easy to look around and wonder if this took God by surprise. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I know that it did not. But what hope can we offer to the people around us when a crisis of epic proportion comes—a disaster like this massive earthquake, the death of a child, or a deadly terrorist attack?

     

    I preached a message following the events of September 11, 2001, that still offers truth and hope from God’s Word—no matter what the crisis is. I trust that Questions in a Time of Crisis will meet you at your point of need today. . .

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    ThuThursdayJanJanuary21st2010 New Post from Straight Up on January 21, 2010 at 3:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, January 21 2010 @ 5 PM

    Who Will Help the Church? / James MacDonald

    Earlier this week, Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church in Seattle and I were in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to assess the needs of the church in there. Check out this video footage of what we saw.

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    MonMondayJanJanuary18th2010 New Post from Straight Up on January 18, 2010 at 12:00 P.M. - Churches Helping Churches
    Posted Monday, January 18 2010 @ 2 PM

    Churches Helping Churches l James MacDonald

    Just wanted to make sure you are all aware of the mercy initiative being spearheaded by James and Mark Driscoll. It's called Churches Helping Churches. James and Mark left late last night for Haiti and have just landed in country with a medical and camera team. Read more about their efforts to help the church in Haiti...

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    SatSaturdayJanJanuary16th2010 Helping the Church in Haiti
    Posted Saturday, January 16 2010 @ 12 AM

    Helping the Church in Haiti l James MacDonald

    Right now, as you read this, men in Haiti are weeping. Women are wandering through the streets, searching for their children. The whole country crouches in shivering fear, stunned and staring in disbelief at the remains of what they once called their home. The world is racing to help these people in unimaginable crisis, but who will help the church...?

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    ThuThursdayJanJanuary14th2010 New Post from Straight Up on January 14, 2010 at 1:30 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, January 14 2010 @ 2 PM

    Emotions -- Good Followers, Lousy Leaders, Part 1 l James MacDonald

    What I want to talk about is we have to be a little more consistent. I want to be consistent, don’t you? I mean I want to be steady. I want to be reliable. Of course, a big part of that is managing your emotions. I have a lot to say about this so check out the first part of the blog post to read more...

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    MonMondayJanJanuary11th2010 New Post from Straight Up on January 11, 2010 at 10:30 A.M.
    Posted Monday, January 11 2010 @ 11 AM
    Large Churches vs. Small Churches l James MacDonald

    Hey, I know that sometimes the size of your church can be a source of encouragement or discouragement to you. I want to encourage you with what I think about the size of a church. Check this out...

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    ThuThursdayJanJanuary7th2010 New Post from Straight Up on January 7, 2010 at 1:30 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, January 07 2010 @ 2 PM
    Remembering Roy l James MacDonald

    It’s hard for me to start a new year without thinking of the phone call that I received in the early hours of 2005 about one of the founding Elders of Harvest Bible Chapel. Let me tell you about a man who was gripped by Jesus Christ, my friend, Roy Gromke.

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    MonMondayJanJanuary4th2010 New Post from Straight Up on January 4, 2010 at 10:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, January 04 2010 @ 11 AM
    This is my Bible l James MacDonald

    Happy New Year! I just preached the first message of 2010 from Exodus 16. I challenged our church family to make a plan and spend time in God’s Word every day this year. I made a commitment to read through the whole Bible this year. And by God’s grace, I will! 

    We need God’s Word in our hearts, minds, and lives every day. Why? Here’s a resource that I have shared with our church family. I hope it’s helpful to you as we start 2010.

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    ThuThursdayDecDecember31st2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 31, 2009 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, December 31 2009 @ 10 AM
    Repentance is a Good Thing l James MacDonald

    I got to teach God’s Word to about 2,000 college students and faculty as part of the Campus Crusade conference, Wrecked into Redemption on December 28-30. On Tuesday night, I gave a message on repentance called “Self in the Dirt” from the series Downpour: He Will Come to Us Like the Rain. Here’s an overview of some of the content...

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    MonMondayDecDecember28th2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 28, 2009 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Monday, December 28 2009 @ 10 AM
    Put God to the Test l James MacDonald

    How will you finish this year? How will you finish spiritually, physically, emotionally, and financially? On the first weekend of this month, I challenged the church family at Harvest to put God to the test in a message from Malachi 3:6-12. Check it out.

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    ThuThursdayDecDecember24th2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 24, 2009 at 9:00 A.M.
    Posted Thursday, December 24 2009 @ 9 AM
    Peace Under Pressure l James MacDonald

    Merry Christmas!

    On this Christmas Eve as Kathy and I look forward to being with our church family tonight, I want to give you some words from God’s Word to bring you peace when you feel the pressure.

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    MonMondayDecDecember21st2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 21, 2009 at 2:00 P.M.
    Posted Monday, December 21 2009 @ 2 PM
    Sometimes Song Lyrics Say it All l James MacDonald

    Sometimes song lyrics say just what you wanted to say — only better. Michael Card’s Christmas song, “Final Word” is a favorite of mine. Check out this video clip of the song from my message this past weekend from Revelation 5.

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    ThuThursdayDecDecember17th2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 17, 2009 at 4:00 P.M.
    Posted Thursday, December 17 2009 @ 4 PM
    I Love the Gospel l James MacDonald

    I never get tired of telling people how they can turn from their sin and embrace Jesus Christ by faith. Do you? Here’s how I gave the Gospel last weekend at Harvest. Check it out.

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    MonMondayDecDecember14th2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 14, 2009 at 11:30 A.M.
    Posted Monday, December 14 2009 @ 12 PM
    How to Benefit from the Bible l James MacDonald

    Last week, I got some great questions about how I mark my Bible. Before I tell you more about that, I want us to think about how to benefit from the Bible by starting with my favorite verse from God’s Word, Jeremiah 15:16 which says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart.” What food is to our bodies, Scripture is to our souls. Check out the five things you need to do if you want to eat God’s Word and feed your soul.

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    ThuThursdayDecDecember10th2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 10, 2009 at 3:30 pm
    Posted Thursday, December 10 2009 @ 4 PM
    Things I Would Change If I Could l James MacDonald

    Here’s the final video from the Q and A sessions from the Preach the Word Conference. I trust that you’ll find this content as helpful and hilarious as I did. :)

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    TueTuesdayDecDecember8th2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 8, 2009 at 5:15 pm
    Posted Tuesday, December 08 2009 @ 6 PM
    It's Hardest At Home l James MacDonald

    Over the past week, I have given you nuggets of truth for your sermon prep. Here’s one more from the Preach the Word Conference. This is where the rubber meets the road, my friends–how do you live out what you teach at home? Check it out.

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    ThuThursdayDecDecember3rd2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 3, 2009 at 3:30pm
    Posted Thursday, December 03 2009 @ 4 PM

    Sermon Prep Methods from Some of the Best / James MacDonald

    Here’s some “gold” for all of you pastors—find out how some of the best expositors in the country prepare to teach God’s Word. You will hear from John MacArthur (a preaching mentor to me for sure!), Chuck Swindoll, Jack Graham, as well as Greg Laurie and me. Get ready to take notes, my friends!

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    TueTuesdayDecDecember1st2009 New Post from Straight Up on December 1, 2009 at 5:00pm
    Posted Tuesday, December 01 2009 @ 6 PM
    Sermon Prep and Devotional Life with Bob Coy and Greg Laurie l James MacDonald

    Hey, I am thinking about my sermon for this weekend today—a lot. It’s one of those messages that I cannot wait to preach—I’ve been thinking about it for quite a while. I am often asked about how I prepare a message....

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    WedWednesdayNovNovember25th2009 New Post from Straight Up on Nobember 25, 2009 at 5:48pm
    Posted Wednesday, November 25 2009 @ 6 PM
    Am I a Thankful Person? l James MacDonald

    I am just wrapping up my sermon preparation for this weekend and my thoughts are turning toward Thanksgiving Day. Turkey, family, football, mashed potatoes, friends, and maybe a nap! Oh, and remembering to thank our great God for Who He is and what He has done. Did you remember the “thankful” part of Thanksgiving...

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    TueTuesdayNovNovember24th2009 New Post from Straight Up on November 24, 2009 at 9:10am
    Posted Tuesday, November 24 2009 @ 9 AM
    Why Take a Preaching Break During the Summer? l James MacDonald

    As many of you know, I typically take a preaching break during the summer. People always ask me “how was your vacation?” It’s NOT vacation . Anyway, here’s a video that explains the logic…

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    FriFridayNovNovember20th2009 New Post from Straight Up on November 20, 2009 at 9:30am
    Posted Friday, November 20 2009 @ 10 AM
    Red Apple Evangelism: Part 4 l James MacDonald

    Thanks, everyone for your helpful comments. Hope this series on evangelism has been helpful for you. Here’s the final video…

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    TueTuesdayNovNovember17th2009 New Post from Straight Up on November 17, 2009 at 9:15am
    Posted Tuesday, November 17 2009 @ 9 AM
    Red Apple Evangelism: Part 3 l James MacDonald

    Here is the third video in our Red Apple Evangelism series....

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    ThuThursdayNovNovember12th2009 New Post from Straight Up on November 12, 2009 at 8:30am
    Posted Thursday, November 12 2009 @ 9 AM
    Five Moral Fences l James MacDonald

    I was a pastor in seminary when the moral failures of the late ’80’s hit the news and they scared me.  In addition to the newsworthy blowouts, I was hearing a shocking number of similar tragedies from my own circle of pastor/friends.  I remember one Sunday night in 1987 when I cried all the way to church....

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    TueTuesdayNovNovember10th2009 New Post from Straight Up on November 10 , 2009 at 10:00am
    Posted Tuesday, November 10 2009 @ 10 AM
    Red Apple Evangelism: Part 2 l James MacDonald

    Continuing on with our second video in our evangelism series…If you haven’t seen the first post in this series, check it out here. Part three will be up next week.

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    FriFridayNovNovember6th2009 New Post from Straight Up on November 6, 2009 at 8:45am
    Posted Friday, November 06 2009 @ 9 AM
    Red Apple Evangelism: Part 1 l James MacDonald

    There’s nothing more central to the mission of the church than the Great Commission – i.e., making disciples. And a big part of making disciples is evangelism. You can’t make a disciple of someone who hasn’t embraced the gospel. People often ask me about Harvest’s philosophy of evangelism.....

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    WedWednesdayOctOctober28th2009 New Post from Straight Up on October 27, 2009 at 8:50am
    Posted Wednesday, October 28 2009 @ 9 AM
    Practical Help for Preachers: the Power of a Simple Analogy l James MacDonald

    I was preaching through the seven letters recently and I came to Jesus’ letter to Pergamum at the end of Revelation 2. I called the message, “Jesus Confronts Sexual Sin.” It was an especially impacting message with application for everyone and much Holy Spirit conviction....

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    ThuThursdayOctOctober22nd2009 New Post from Straight Up on October 22, 2009 at 1:10pm
    Posted Thursday, October 22 2009 @ 1 PM
    The Worst Comment of All Time l James MacDonald

    I believe in giving credit where credit is due. Several thousand people have now left comments at this new blog, and I am blown away and edified by the diversity of opinion. Recently I posted a video blog...

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    ThuThursdayOctOctober15th2009 New Post from Straight Up on October 15, 2009 at 8:30am
    Posted Thursday, October 15 2009 @ 9 AM
    Practical Help For Preachers: Set Up the Word Before You Need It! l James MacDonald

    One of the things I longed for as a young preacher and found very tough to find was practical help with how to actually communicate. I was deeply persuaded about the importance of exposition and the need for application and all the main things, and there was tons of info on how to interpret and outline a passage and settle on the big idea, etc...

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    FriFridayOctOctober9th2009 New Post from Straight Up on October 9, 2009 at 10:15am
    Posted Friday, October 09 2009 @ 10 AM
    Multi-Campus Is Not For Everyone l James MacDonald

    OK – that’s a whole week on the current phenomenon of multi-site churches. For those of you who really like to cut to the chase, here is a video summary of what I was trying to say in the last two posts. Feel free to leave a comment or even a difference of opinion. Let me know what you are thinking and let others be edified by your perspective...

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    MonMondayOctOctober5th2009 New Post from Straight Up on October 5, 2009 at 9:00am
    Posted Monday, October 05 2009 @ 9 AM
    Multi-Site Churches: Part 2 l James MacDonald

    In my ministry, it is the getting there that has been the great thing, not the arriving. In the same way multi-site is a vehicle; it is not the destination. So, be careful not to covet multi-site. It is extremely complex. It is very draining. It is a ton of work....

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    ThuThursdayOctOctober1st2009 New Post from Straight Up, October 1, 2009 at 8:11pm
    Posted Thursday, October 01 2009 @ 8 PM
    Multi-Site Churches: Part 1 l James MacDonald

    It may come as some surprise, but Harvest Bible Chapel didn’t have any big plans or strategy or even desire to go multi-site. God was blessing our church with growth, and we were completely overloaded. We were meeting in a big old warehouse and were running six shuttle buses for four services...

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    ThuThursdaySepSeptember24th2009 New Post from Straight Up on September 24, 2009 at 1:15pm
    Posted Thursday, September 24 2009 @ 1 PM
    Expository Preaching Is Not for the Faint of Heart. l James MacDonald

    When you are committed to teaching through the text verse by verse it raises some tensions that might be good to discuss.  (I am currently underway on our 2009-2010 journey through the book of Revelation). . .

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    MonMondaySepSeptember14th2009 New Post from Straight Up on September 14, 2009 at 8:45am
    Posted Monday, September 14 2009 @ 9 AM
    The 'Cross' of Leadership l James MacDonald

    Leading is lonely at times, no question about it. If you’re doing the job God has given you, the loneliness cannot be avoided. Looking back I think I was a little too hard on leaders who didn’t deal with things...

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    MonMondayAugAugust24th2009 New Post from Straight Up on August 24, 2009 at 8:30am
    Posted Monday, August 24 2009 @ 9 AM
    Seeing the Power of God l James MacDonald

    Some people think pastors never get rocked to the core, and that could not be more UNTRUE.  Here is a story about when God took me to the mat and taught me to see his power at work in the most dire of circumstances...

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    ThuThursdayAugAugust6th2009 New Post from Straight Up on August 6, 2009 at 9:30am
    Posted Thursday, August 06 2009 @ 9 AM
    Equipping vs. Serving: Are You Ready For Full-Time Ministry l James MacDonald

    One of the key ministry values here at Harvest is recognizing the difference between equipping and serving. Serving is great, but serving is not the primary calling of a full-time pastor. The primary job of a pastor is not to do the work of the ministry, but to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12).  Check out the video below for more on this distinction..

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    MonMondayAugAugust3rd2009 New Post from Straight Up on August 3, 2009 at 10:00am
    Posted Monday, August 03 2009 @ 10 AM
    Stubborn and Blind = The Deadly Character Combo l James MacDonald

    I have a lot of people in my life, and have had for a long time. A LOT! And because of that I have had countless opportunities to observe a deadly character combo: two traits that on their own are bad enough, but together are crushing to any real chance at Christ likeness. In fact, if both these things are true of you, life transformation will never be more than a mirage. Wanna know what they are...?

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    ThuThursdayJulJuly30th2009 New Post from Straight Up on July 30, 2009 at 10:00 am
    Posted Thursday, July 30 2009 @ 10 AM
    Hey Here's Some Personal Updates: I James MacDonald

    Hey it’s August (almost) and I am back in the pulpit at Harvest in a few weeks. I have a lot to praise God about and wanted to get you some info as an expression of my gratitude for your prayers . . .

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    MonMondayJulJuly20th2009 New Post from Straight Up on July 20, 2009 at 10:00am
    Posted Monday, July 20 2009 @ 11 AM
    My Mount Rushmore... I James MacDonald

    OK, so I know that Luke and Gerald have been listing their “Mt. Rushmore” of preachers (thanks for the mention guys),  writers, musicians, quotes, and experiences. Is it OK if I cover all that in one post? I actually went to Mt. Rushmore earlier this summer to witness a Greg Laurie Crusade in Big Rapids (great time!) so I get the concept . . . here goes . . .

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    ThuThursdayJulJuly16th2009 New Post from Straight Up on July 16, 2009 at 11:15am
    Posted Thursday, July 16 2009 @ 11 AM
    Well known or Well Done? I James MacDonald

    Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, Perry Noble, John Piper, Mark Dever, CJ Mahaney, John MacArthur, Francs Chan, Bill Hybels, Craig Rochelle, Wayne Cordeiro, Andy Stanley, Ed Young, the list goes on and on. Well known pastors, fruitful leaders, each with their own area of exceptional competence . . .

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    TueTuesdayJulJuly14th2009 New Post from Straight Up on July 14, 2009 at 4:30 pm
    Posted Tuesday, July 14 2009 @ 5 PM
    A Key Ingredient in an Effective Pastor I James MacDonald

    People often ask me what a fruitful minister’s most important strength is. Without question, it is what I refer to as a ‘high need for closure.’ More than anything else, pastors with that, GET IT DONE! Here is a quick clip where I talk about this more...

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    FriFridayJulJuly10th2009 New Post from Straight Up on July 10, 2009 at 9:00am
    Posted Friday, July 10 2009 @ 9 AM
    When God's Answer Is Better Than My Prayer I James MacDonald

    Sometimes praying by faith can slip into demanding things from God and that is not good. Have you ever wanted something so bad that you prayed for it in a way that did damage to your own soul? If yes, leave your story in the comment section. Here’s mine...

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    MonMondayJulJuly6th2009 New Post from Straight Up on July 6, 2009 at 11:00am (with working links this time!)
    Posted Monday, July 06 2009 @ 11 AM
    I Want to Be a Better... I James MacDonald

    Where is James? What is he thinking? How is his sabbatical going? I don't suppose very many people are even thinking about me, but if you happen to be among the few wondering 'where I am at,' here is a little update as of July 6, 2009...

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    MonMondayJulJuly6th2009 New Post from Straight Up on July 6, 2009 at 10:00am
    Posted Monday, July 06 2009 @ 10 AM
    I Want to Be a Better... I James MacDonald

    Where is James? What is he thinking? How is his sabbatical going? I don't suppose very many people are even thinking about me, but if you happen to be among the few wondering 'where I am at,' here is a little update as of July 6, 2009...

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    ThuThursdayJulJuly2nd2009 New Post from Straight Up on July 2, 2009 at 9:30am
    Posted Thursday, July 02 2009 @ 10 AM
    My Son Almost Died... But... | James MacDonald

    How many of our lives would be different if not for God? That’s certainly true for my family.
    Here’s our story...

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    FriFridayJunJune26th2009 New Post from Straight Up on June 26, 2009 at 10:00am
    Posted Friday, June 26 2009 @ 1 PM
    On Preaching Notes | James MacDonald

    I’m frequently asked about my preaching notes. In the video below, I explain the logic behind how I structure my notes. I know such things aren’t one size fits all, but hopefully there’s something in here that's helpful for you...

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    ThuThursdayJunJune25th2009 New Post from Straight Up on June 24, 2009 at 8:00 pm
    Posted Thursday, June 25 2009 @ 9 AM
    I LOVE the Truth!!!!!!! I Looooveeee!!!!!!!! It :) | James MacDonald

    My life verse is Jeremiah 15:16: Your words were found unto me and I did eat them, and they became in me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. Outside my home and church office this verse is prominently displayed and summarizes what my life is all about. Here’s how it all began...

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    MonMondayJunJune22nd2009 New Post from Straight Up on June 22, 2009 at 10:00am
    Posted Monday, June 22 2009 @ 10 AM
    Honestly, I Just Cried When I First Saw This | James MacDonald

    Hey you gotta check out this video clip. Be sure to watch the testimony in the middle of the song...

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    TueTuesdayJunJune9th2009 New Post from Straight Up on June 7, 2009 at 3:00 pm
    Posted Tuesday, June 09 2009 @ 10 AM
    Hey Young Preachers: Use More Commercials in Preaching | James MacDonald

    Check out this new video of Pastor James on commercials in preaching.

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    FriFridayJunJune5th2009 New Post from Straight Up on June 5, 2009 at 10:00am
    Posted Friday, June 05 2009 @ 10 AM
    Weariness is Sin? You've Got To Be Kidding... | James MacDonald

    OK, so here is an early sabbatical report. I am reading in Revelation (my goal for the preaching calendar at Harvest starting in the fall, but no Elder approved yet :)) and I come across Revelation 2:3:  “I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake and have not grown weary.” Then I remember...

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    TueTuesdayJunJune2nd2009 New Post from Straight Up on June 2, 2009 at 11:30am
    Posted Tuesday, June 02 2009 @ 12 PM
     To Kill an Abortionist! | James MacDonald

    OK, so what did you think when you heard that abortionist George Tiller was shot and killed by a pro-life fanatic this past weekend? Did you even know who George Tiller was? Only the most prolific late-term abortionist in America...

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    TueTuesdayJunJune2nd2009 New Post from Straight Up on June 2, 2009 at 8:00am
    Posted Tuesday, June 02 2009 @ 8 AM
    Common Mistakes Made by Young Preachers | James MacDonald

    One of my greatest joys these days is working with young preachers, trying to ‘fast track’ them through some of the lessons I have learned through almost three decades of preaching. I was blessed to attend some great schools, but truthfully most of the bit I have learned about preaching came from painful Sunday afternoons of lamenting the ‘getting it wrong’ and determining to do better next time....

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    MonMondayMayMay25th2009 New Post from Straight Up on May 25, 2009 at 8:37am
    Posted Monday, May 25 2009 @ 9 AM
    Happy Memorial Day! | James MacDonald

    I hope you have a great day with your loved ones today. I received a comment on one of my blogs from a guy named David. He left a piece of message shrapnel that he claims is a response to one of my messages and it reminded me how careful I need to be in making a ‘passing comment.’ Here’s what he wrote...

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    TueTuesdayMayMay19th2009 New Post from Straight Up on May 19, 2009 at 11:02am
    Posted Tuesday, May 19 2009 @ 12 PM
    Learn to Love the Critic: God is Speaking! | James MacDonald

    Is this a place for a pastor to share his heart? Is this a place for the people who follow my ministry to connect with the reality that I am the furthest thing from some big-time radio preacher . . . just a fellow Christian on this journey of following Jesus and trying to get it right?

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    FriFridayMayMay15th2009 New Post from Straight Up on May 15, 2009 at 11:27am
    Posted Friday, May 15 2009 @ 12 PM
    Top Five Worst Illustrations of All Time | James MacDonald

    One of the things that makes the life of a preacher challenging is the need for fresh illustrative material for every sermon every week. The preacher, in seeking to persuade men and women, is looking to teach the mind and challenge the will of every hearer...

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    TueTuesdayMayMay12th2009 New Post from Straight Up on May 12, 2009 at 11:50am
    Posted Tuesday, May 12 2009 @ 12 PM
    High Deposit, High Withdrawal | James MacDonald

    What’s the cultural ethos of your church staff? After twenty years of ministry, I’ve seen how a “high deposit, high withdrawal” culture leads to healthy, open relationships, where things get done and staff can grow. Here’s a video...

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    ThuThursdayMayMay7th2009 New Post from Straight Up on May 7, 2009 at 7:15am
    Posted Thursday, May 07 2009 @ 7 AM
    More Grace . . .?  | James MacDonald

    Kathy and I were sitting with one of the original 18 people who started Harvest Bible Chapel on Saturday night after the service. It is the first time in a long time that this woman had a chance to share her heart with us. What she said to me could not have come at a better time...

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    MonMondayMayMay4th2009 New Post from Straight Up on May 4, 2009 at 9:25am
    Posted Monday, May 04 2009 @ 10 AM
    I Want the Whole Gospel | James MacDonald

    Every single ounce of truth; give it to me straight just like it is in the Bible. I want the whole gospel:
    Don’t dilute the living water—it might not quench my thirsty soul...

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    FriFridayMayMay1st2009 New Post from Straight Up on May 1, 2009 at 11:50am
    Posted Friday, May 01 2009 @ 12 PM
    5 Distortions of the Gospel in our Day| James MacDonald

    Our oldest son Luke, sent me a link a while back that quoted A.W. Tozer and James Kennedy (both wonderful Christian leaders in their day). Both men believed that many, if not most, professing believers they encountered around the country were not actually saved. They were deeply troubled by the distortions of the gospel that were the result of trying to get the gospel to more people. Well intentioned yes, but ...

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    MonMondayAprApril27th2009 New Post from Straight Up on April 27, 2009 at 2:15pm
    Posted Monday, April 27 2009 @ 2 PM
    I Love Church Planting!! | James MacDonald

    It was the hardest thing I ever did. And now we have done it many times, but it does not get any easier. Taking precious resources that are hard to come by and for which there are so many competing demands . . . taking 300+ people who you have loved and shepherded, some for many years, and inviting them to leave the church and launch out to start a new work. . .

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    ThuThursdayAprApril23rd2009 New Post from Straight Up on April 23, 2009 at 3:50 pm
    Posted Thursday, April 23 2009 @ 4 PM
    Quick Update | James MacDonald

    Hey:
    Sorry I haven’t been posting since Easter. I have been traveling a lot and pretty tied up. Look for an update early in the week on the following exciting things. . .

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    MonMondayAprApril13th2009 New Post from Straight Up on April 13, 2009 at 7:00am
    Posted Monday, April 13 2009 @ 8 AM
    New Harvest in Miami, FL | James MacDonald

    All this week we will be featuring posts from our future HBF church plant pastors. I’ve asked them to tell us a bit about who they are, where they will be going, and to share their hearts as they move forward in obedience to God’s call. First up is Jason Fevig, who is planting a Harvest Bible Chapel in Miami, Florida.

    Miami is post-modern, multi-ethnic America. Miami boasts the largest Spanish-speaking population in the Western Hemisphere outside of Latin America. Miami is also one of the largest cities in the United States with a population well over 5 million strong...

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    WedWednesdayAprApril8th2009 New Post from Straight Up on April 8, 2009 at 8:30am
    Posted Wednesday, April 08 2009 @ 8 AM
    Quiz: Is Your Church Vertical?| James MacDonald

    I am really starting to enjoy this blog. I am learning so much about people and what is on their hearts. Several have asked what I mean by the subtitle for this blog, “first vertical and then missional.” If I ever get to that book about the church, that book about what we have been trying to be about for the past 21 years, I think I will call it Vertical Church....

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    ThuThursdayAprApril2nd2009 New Post from Straight Up on April 2, 2009 at 1:25pm
    Posted Thursday, April 02 2009 @ 2 PM
    The Public Rebuke of False Teachers | James MacDonald

    What an incredibly difficult thing it is to think and act like a Christian when we are so incredibly immersed in our culture.  The job of thinking biblically, while the deafening noise of societal norms rings in our ears and our own personality biases our convictions, can seem impossible...

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    ThuThursdayMarMarch26th2009 New Post from Straight Up on March 26, 2009 at 8:20am
    Posted Thursday, March 26 2009 @ 9 AM
    On the Key to a Powerful Service Close | James MacDonald

    I am trying on this site to connect with people personally and resource those in pastoral ministry.  One of the things we get alot of feed back about at Harvest is the way we close our services.  The message and the music have to be in sink, totally, or impact is lost in the critical moments that everything has been building toward . . .

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    TueTuesdayMarMarch24th2009 New Post from Straight Up on March 24, 2009 at 10:18am
    Posted Tuesday, March 24 2009 @ 12 PM
    The Ever Elusive Rest... Want It? By God's Grace I Have It | James MacDonald

    Rest is the God given capacity to have peace even when the circumstance that would burden your heart is not resolved.  OK, this one will be brief, because I believe its power is in its simplicity...

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    ThuThursdayMarMarch19th2009 New Post from Straight Up, March 19, 2009 at 8:30 am
    Posted Thursday, March 19 2009 @ 9 AM
    Letter To A Dying Church | James MacDonald

    In April, we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of a noble act by a dying church known as Crossroads Community Church in Niles, Illinois. Formerly known as Belden Avenue Baptist Church, they had been, in their glory years, a fruitful, thriving centerpiece of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. During the 80's and 90's they experienced much division and reduction in membership, as well as frequent turnover in pastoral leadership . . .

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    MonMondayMarMarch16th2009 New Post from Straight Up, March 16th, 2009 at 9:39 am
    Posted Monday, March 16 2009 @ 10 AM
    A Personal Update | James MacDonald

    Well, I am very excited about the growing audience for this blog, 33k hits in the last month!  So I hope the content is interesting and helpful and a good way for those who connect with one of our Harvest Bible Chapels or with Walk in the Word to connect with me personally. Here are a few personal updates...

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    WedWednesdayMarMarch11th2009 New Post from Straight Up on March 11, 2009 at 2:18pm
    Posted Wednesday, March 11 2009 @ 2 PM
    Was My Loved One Unsaved When They Died? | James MacDonald

    Last week I posted a letter I wrote to a friend when her saved mother went home to heaven.  Interesting how many people commented on my dealing with the death of a family member whose salvation was unsure or unknown.  Kathy and I struggled through the death of her father now almost 20 years ago.  I never encourage Christians to express certainty in these matters...

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    SatSaturdayMarMarch7th2009 New Post from Straight Up, March 6th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
    Posted Saturday, March 07 2009 @ 1 PM
    Comment Guidelines: Follow the Rules and Keep 'em Coming | James MacDonald

    Well, I am a couple of months into this blog thing and for the most part I am really enjoying it.  Some folks think I owe it to them to post their comments.  Ummm, no I don’t!   What I think I do owe is an explanation of what I will post and what I will not.  So here goes...

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    ThuThursdayMarMarch5th2009 From Straight Up on March 5, 2009 at 8:28am
    Posted Thursday, March 05 2009 @ 9 AM
    Letter to a Grieving Friend  | James MacDonald

    More than 12 years ago now I awoke on a Saturday morning deeply burdened for a woman in our church who had lost her mother that week.  I remember sitting in bed and typing a letter to her on my laptop.   Later that day I dropped it off and she told me later that it brought her great comfort.  I never dreamed that her husband would become an elder in our church or that as a couple they would become some of our closest friends.  I just wanted to comfort her...

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    MonMondayMarMarch2nd2009 From Straight Up on March 2, 2009 2:10 pm
    Posted Monday, March 02 2009 @ 2 PM
    Great Damage: The Gift of Discernment Used in the Flesh | James MacDonald

    If you are in Christ by the grace of God through repentance and faith, the Holy Spirit has given you a spiritual gift. Your spiritual gift is a supernatural capacity to serve Christ in this world.  Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12, 14 are some of the places these gifts are listed and explained.  While Christians debate  the number of gifts and their availability for today...


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    TueTuesdayFebFebruary24th2009 From Straight Up on Feb 24, 2009 2:10 pm
    Posted Tuesday, February 24 2009 @ 2 PM
    "Reaching Our Culture," blah blah blah!  | James MacDonald

    Wow, what a great weekend,  truly a plentiful harvest at Harvest.  Greg Laurie, a dear friend who pastors a different Harvest in Riverside, California and a truly gifted evangelist, came and preached the gospel at "our Harvest" as hundreds made first time decisions to follow Christ.  Among those professions of faith were some people we had been loving and praying about for months or even years . . .

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    FriFridayFebFebruary20th2009 From Straight Up on Feb 20, 2009, 12:47 pm
    Posted Friday, February 20 2009 @ 1 PM
    The Price is Right | James MacDonald

    Hey: It’s Friday and I am at the end of a week of treatment. 31 down and 14 to go, a real marathon to be sure. Time for some mirth! Want a good laugh? If yes check out this video with me, Kathy, our daughter Abby and a dear friend Mark (cool mustache) in the studio audience of the game show, The Price is Right. . .

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    MonMondayFebFebruary16th2009 From Straight Up on February 16, 2009 9:09 am
    Posted Monday, February 16 2009 @ 9 AM
    How About If You Learn From My Mistakes As An Employer | James MacDonald

    I learned many wonderful things in Seminary but my ministry has certainly been impacted by the things I knew nothing about as I began in pastoral ministry and planted a church.  For example I knew absolutely nothing about being an employer.   I don’t want to make you overly negative but a little bit of sanctified cynicism will make you a better leader of your staff large or small.  We now have well over 300 employees and  I suppose almost a hundred more that have come and gone over a 20 year period.  I am happier with our church staff and leadership structure than I have ever been and so I guess this is the safest possible time to share some things about church staffing I have had to learn the hard way . . .

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    ThuThursdayFebFebruary12th2009 From Straight Up on Feb 11, 2009 2:32 pm
    Posted Thursday, February 12 2009 @ 12 AM
    Some People Should Not be Allowed to Walk | James MacDonald

    OK, this is just for fun. In an effort to greatly improve the common good I am proposing that no one be allowed to drive a car until they have successfully held a ‘walking license’ for at least two years with no tickets.  Fact is there are a lot of people who just don’t know how to put one foot in front of the other in public.  They break every possible traffic rule in the simple task of strolling. I find it very scary to think that these same people are licensed for the much more difficult task of navigating a motor vehicle at speeds up to 70 mph . . .

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    MonMondayFebFebruary9th2009 Blog Blast 1
    Posted Monday, February 09 2009 @ 11 AM
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