May you find rest in the winter of doubt and receive the affirmation of spring.
All in Reflection Roundup
Trinitarian Ecclesiology
Where is the balance between offering gifts of service to the local congregation and implementing structures required for the kind of leadership by which the congregational body will feel truly supported?
Noticing Beauty
If your biggest news is about an interesting insect whose path you crossed on your walk, then you’re onto something.
Play the Cards You Hold
If we began our congregational ministry by assessing what we have to offer, we’d likely find it’s a lot.
Spiritual Friendship
The truth of God’s saving grace through faith becomes realer than real when experienced in life, interacting with those who wear skin. We need to have, to be, a friend.
A Season of Rest and Prayer
If what the Breastplate of St. Patrick claims is true, then both a physical body and a congregational body can rest in its truth.
Love: It’s Time to Get to Work
Reflecting on years of teaching young students, I am reminded of exercises captioned “Listen and do.” Might this be a simple, yet awfully mature, set of ancient instructions?
We Are Sheep
Sheep respond to nurture, and we are sheep according to John’s Gospel. Thus, we know our master’s voice of grace, which causes us to turn our heads and assent to follow.
What Does it Mean to Be Church?
What sort of church structure describes Churches of Christ, Christian Churches, and other non-denominational congregations?
Sheep Respond to Nurture
This week I saw a sheep with an adopted master, following close because it knew familiarity and care. It had everything it needed and responded simply in acceptance.
Shhh…
In stillness and silence, the gut string chord of striving relaxes to the ringing philharmonic of divine sufficiency; it is enough.
Grasping the Newness
We can retain the spirit of newness as we face off against burdens and pains, choosing a fresh perspective of hope and promise.
King of Kings
As Epiphany wafts past today, let’s not miss the magnitude of the message through the Magi: the gospel is for all.
Reflection Roundup: Bell Ringers
Here’s a Christmas playlist full of Fisher favorites for fun and frolic. Maybe a few will inspire musing, meditation, and a little Christmas magic.
Reflection Roundup: Joy Bomb
Our youngest son’s birthday is next week. When he first arrived on the scene, he emanated joy from within. Still does! How might we bomb those around us with joy this week?
Reflection Roundup: Light Bringers
Squaring off against the darkness, acknowledging its created separateness from the light that is God in the lives of people, is our posture for this season.
Reflection Roundup: Behold, the Light
As the light of Christ streams in the window, lighting the room of our lives, let us notice what the light illuminates, yet not spend glorious, God-given energy attempting perfection in what is the Lord’s to complete.
Reflection Roundup: Gratitude Shines its Light
A Grateful Haiku:
Gratitude unties
resentment’s tangle leaving
fresh eyes for God’s gifts.
Reflection Roundup: Unfriendly Homeostasis
Beware of the lure of calm waters. Not every minister must be a “whitewater adrenaline junkie,” but paths toward missional goals often contain obstacles ministries must leverage.
Reflection Roundup: Generational Trust
Generational differences are a given; intergenerational trust is a must. It’s essential we listen to and honor the priorities of those going before us and those coming behind.