Bill's Notebook

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Mark Driscoll called pastors cowards if they didn’t address it from the pulpit. I explain why I didn’t — and why the pulpit belongs to Christ, not the culture war. Meanwhile, two reactions have dominated the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination: “Good riddance” or “This means war.” But the church must choose another way...

On September 11, 2001, a generation remembers exactly where they were. Today, in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s shocking murder, we’re asking the same question again. What kind of people will we be when tragedy strikes? In this episode, I reflect on the unity America found after 9/11, the division we feel today, and the deeper hope the gospel offers — a unity not built on politics or patriotism, but o...

We often quote Jesus’ words:  “Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.”  But in a politically charged world, have we misapplied what He actually meant? In this episode, we explore how inflating minor discomforts into “persecution” waters down the power of Jesus’ teaching — and how remembering the global Church can help us see with clarity, humility, and courage. If this challenged you...

When Alistair Begg prayed and John Piper spoke at John MacArthur’s memorial, some called it an extraordinary act of ecumenism. Really? If that’s what we call ecumenism, we’re in trouble. In this episode, I reflect on why the “shock” reveals more about us than it does about them — and what true Christian unity should look like. Read more at www.billsnotebook.com

When the pandemic hit, churches thought they faced two stark choices: Go online. Or defy the government and stay open. But what if those “choices” were really the same thing — preserving a 90-minute service at all costs? In this new article I wrestle with a question we barely asked in 2020: If the building is closed, can we still be the church? I'd love to hear your thoughts! read more at: www...

Donald Trump says he’s “trying to get to heaven” by saving lives in Ukraine. But what does that reveal about how he understands salvation—and how many Americans think about it too? In this episode, we look at Trump’s recent Fox & Friends remark, trace it back to past interviews, and ask the bigger question: what does the Bible actually say about heaven, good works, and the Gospel of grace? If...

When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, He wasn’t giving a lesson in policy reform.  He was calling His followers to personal action. In this episode, we explore what the Bible actually emphasizes about the sojourner, the poor, and the vulnerable — and how easily we replace obedience with opinion. From ancient Israel to modern immigration debates, the challenge is the same: Will we love t...

What happens when you’re asked to preach the gospel… next to a cattle auction… with only ten minutes to do it? In this episode, I reflect on the surprising honor of preaching at our county fair, the challenge of brevity, and the deeper questions that arose during this interdenominational gathering. What does real unity among churches look like? Why do our differences matter? And if there’s a way f...

In a world full of headlines, hashtags, and heat, it’s easy to assume that what we’ve seen is what’s true —  everywhere . But what if the truth is more complicated than that? In this episode, I share a story from an unexpected moment at a funeral that leads into a broader reflection on outrage culture, media distortion, and the need for humble listening. Just because something hasn’t happened  her...