Here is the manuscript of a sermon I preached on January 3rd, 2021. It was also a New Year’s reflection with the goal of helping my congregation process the previous year using the worship practice of lament. If you’d like to listen to it, the video version can be found here: https://youtu.be/-iTIm_py-Bs I also provided … Continue reading Looking Backward
Author: colbyhetcel
Top 5 Books I’ve Read in 2020
With two different orders to work from home, I’ve had a lot of extra time this year to read. That has been a huge blessing. As a pastor, I feel that it’s my duty to continually sharpen my skills in this way. But I would be lying if I said that was the only reason … Continue reading Top 5 Books I’ve Read in 2020
Trust God & Live in Fear
“Have faith not fear.” “God’s got this.” “I’m just choosing to trust God and not live in fear.” These are three examples of slogans that many believers are using in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic and America’s current political climate. Not all who say these slogans are Christians. But it does seem like the vast … Continue reading Trust God & Live in Fear
Habakkuk: Active Faith in Uncertain Times
Here’s an edited manuscript of the sermon I delivered at Word of Life Baptist Church on November 15th, 2020. I have removed some of the material that doesn’t lend itself to this format. Some have also asked me to explain more of what I mean about current Christian-like slogans. I will plan on writing a … Continue reading Habakkuk: Active Faith in Uncertain Times
Demons – What Are They? (Halloween Edition)
As a culture, we are fascinated with the unknown. Monster and horror movies are all the rage. Exorcism has become a popular genre of film, and it seems like there’s a never-ending catalogue of tv shows about people trying to catch ghosts. This fascination with the unknown is not foreign in Biblical study either. For … Continue reading Demons – What Are They? (Halloween Edition)
On Listening (to Others)
“The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as the love of God begins with listening to His word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.”[1] “Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not … Continue reading On Listening (to Others)
Why I’m Concerned
This is why I write about the topics that I write about. This is why I’m so concerned with idolatry. Let me be somewhat autobiographical. As a new Christian, I was very arrogant in my faith. I had memorized a lot of theological propositions, apologetic responses to perceived threats, and all the right evangelical catch-phrases. … Continue reading Why I’m Concerned
Isaiah and Idolatrous Efficiency
From the beginning of time, humanity has much preferred their own seemingly efficient solutions to accomplish the tasks that God has called them to do. God wished for Adam and Eve to learn in relationship with Him. They chose the quicker way to gain knowledge by eating from the tree. God wanted to make a … Continue reading Isaiah and Idolatrous Efficiency
The Wish Dream
Here’s an edited manuscript of the sermon I delivered at Word of Life Baptist Church on August 30th, 2020. I have removed the introduction and a few other parts that didn’t lend themselves to this blog format. If you’d rather listen to this sermon than read it, you can find the link to the YouTube … Continue reading The Wish Dream
Practical Ways to Fight Individualism
Within my first blog on Isaiah,[1] I posted that individualism is often one of the major forces behind our lackluster response to injustice. After posting that blog, as well as after many conversations with others about this topic, some good questions arose. For example: “Why is individualism so bad?” “Isn’t salvation, ultimately, between an individual … Continue reading Practical Ways to Fight Individualism
Scripture Simplified 