Skip to main content

Popular posts from this blog

Where Do We Go From Here?

I don’t make it a habit to comment on every tragedy or circumstance that sends shockwaves through our country. One reason I often restrain from commenting is that there are plenty of strong, reliable voices who can say what I want to say and do it with grace and precision. A second reason is the conviction that I need to listen before speaking. Howard Thurman once urged people to search for the voice of the “genuine” rather than simply falling in love with one’s own voice. I appreciate the voice I have been given, but I want my voice to reflect something deeper than my raw emotions and immediate reactions. That’s why I’ve waited to comment on the killing of Charlie Kirk.  If you don’t know Charlie Kirk, he was a young (31 years old) political activist. Conservative in his politics and Christian in his faith, Kirk embraced the power and opportunity of freedom of speech and often took his back-and-forth dialogue/debate events to college campuses. There he would engage with young stud...

The Faith of a Foreign Woman (The Story)

Ruth: The Faith of a Foreign Woman           Oct. 21/22, 2017 Scripture:   Ruth 1: 1-18, 3: 1-13             Today we continue our journey through The Story, and we find our way to the wonderful, short like Book of Ruth. Last week we were in the Book of Judges, which is filled with stories of warriors. Today, we are making a blockbuster trade. We’re trading away our warriors and picking up some friends. I’m not much of a tv guy anymore. I hear stories about This Is Us and still enjoy an episode of The Big Bang Theory every now and then, but I’m more of an older shows kind of guy. If you grew up in the 1990’s like I did, chances are pretty good that you’ll recall a show called “The Wonder Years.”   Ever see it? My brother and I used to hurry home from the bus stop to catch the latest episode, and I still catch him watching re-runs of a show that had it all- roman...

FOCUS: Creating Renewal

Creating Renewal             This past week I had the privilege of leading the music time at Vacation Bible School. And let me tell you, what a blast! I left for home every night completely exhausted, but also completely refreshed in my soul. Spending those nights singing and dancing with young disciples renewed my faith and replenished a joy that I didn’t know was even missing! But that’s what happens when faith catches fire. Vitality happens. New life happens. You might even call it revival! And that’s what we’re discussing today: how to seek vitality and renewal in our congregations. It’s one of our five areas of focus, five areas that we believe have the capacity to change the world. And I remain convinced that if we seek renewal and revival in our churches, the world will be drawn in to the magnificent and life-giving work of Jesus Christ. Would you read with me… Acts 2 is sort of like the gold stan...