He was left all alone. For centuries these haunting words have filled the space between human extremity and divine encounters.
The Things that Make for Peace: Making Friends with Your Emotions
My anger is less likely to seek to destroy someone else than it is to seek to destroy me. That’s one of the things I’m learning about my anger as I get to know it better.
Don, John, Juan - Jesus and Jesús
It’s important to recognize our positions of power and how we might misuse our power to serve our prejudice
Passing on Faith
Teaching our children to follow God is one of the most profound tasks we are given; indeed, it is our primary mission field.
Imbedded Thorns (and thanks to Mick)
Thanks to God's grace I was able to preach complete sermons in both first and second services at Highland this past Sunday morning.
Renewal in Your Church
Renewal begins with God’s work. And in many cases, God is simply waiting for a church and her leaders to get serious about seeking a new and vibrant day.
Spiritual Direction, Patience, and A Man Called Ove
Like fiction where the author tells us what each nod or smile means, it is a lovely image! Except, I haven’t experienced it to be true.
Beautiful Churches Built on Sacred Ground
The beauty of small churches in West Texas inspires me to remember that the Sunday assembly is not about me.
Is It Too Late to Turn Back? Reflections on the Difficulties of Change
You brace yourself for the change, you rally the forces, you organize every detail, and you convince yourself that you have created a foolproof plan for a perfect and seamless transition.
Walking the High Wire without a Net (This Sunday!)
I can't remember the last time I preached. I believe it was two years ago, perhaps longer.
A Different Style of Prophetic Preaching
I have noticed a trend toward equating "prophetic preaching" with a confrontational, rough and tough style of delivery.
Saved from Myself
God uses truly “beautiful” people from time to time, to hold up the mirror, show us our own ugliness, and save us from ourselves. Thank you, Lord.
One More Time - This Year
For a couple of weeks I will be away from my blogging position, hoping to come back strong.
Church from a Child’s Eyes
In the face of systemic human suffering and need, children’s first instinct is to rely on their church family to increase their effectiveness in responding to said need.
Who’s the Boss?
Our freedom is found not in being without a master, but in the identity of our master. Because there will always be a boss, it very much matters who that boss will be.
4th and 7th for the 2nd Time
Now we come to even more serious situations—not a mere financial crisis but a financial collapse.
Sharks, Life, and Jesus
Hard things happen to those you lead, so help them be ready. Pray for your flock, speak truth into their lives, keep them connected to you and to others in their community of faith.
The Fragility of Ministry
The best things in life are the risky things, the impractical things, but maybe especially, the things that can’t break.
4th and 7th to Go
Before we get too excited about seeing our debts float down river, I must point out that Israel’s system of loans and debts is a world away from our own.
Preaching through Pain: A Contemporary Christian Conversation
What happens when the preacher struggles with their own faith? Mike Cope speaks of finding ways to minister to others from an authentic place even when your heart is broken.