God, I’ve watched the news,
one report after another;
and to be honest—
I can’t look anymore.
Sorry, Dr. Stienke
I desperately want to lead courageously, step out on faith, and lean into God’s dream for my church. I so want to be a strong link in that chain.
Dick Gregory: A Smile in the Struggle
May we live in such a way that when we are lying on our death bed, the only thing we have left to do is die. May we help the world smile in the midst of their daily struggles.
Overwhelming Harvey
I am at a loss of words in the face of hurricane Harvey. I know what it is like to lose everything.
The Spiritual Gift of Grub
It is amazing to me how often Jesus is found eating. The book of Luke records time after time that Jesus came to dinner or told parables about parties.
The Grape Juice Isn’t Purple???
We silently wondered what Bible passages we were violating, but also recalled that the person who usually prepared the Lord’s Supper was home sick today.
The Things that Make for Peace: De-Triangulation
The only way to get those negative emotions out of the relationship, and re-establish the conditions for peace, is for someone to take personal responsibility for their relationship.
A Prayer for the Gulf Coast - Psalm 69 (edited)
Save me, O God
for the waters have come up to my neck.
Psalms for Prayer (for Houston)
A few psalms to use this morning, this evening, and/or alone in your prayers for Houston and the surrounding area.
An Earnest Request
May God hear our words and our hearts and spare those in dire need.
If I Could Talk to the President (Part 2)
Today we continue our singalong with Proverbs by examining two more closely related principles about speech.
Elders and Ministers: Working and Praying Together
Numerous factors suggest how critical it is for ministers and elders to work together collaboratively and to spend a great deal of time in prayer.
If I Could Talk to the President (Part 1)
Especially after spending a year in the book of Proverbs, I would do my best to convey a few ideas about speech that are true for everyone—and remarkably so for a leader.
Leaving the Museum: Daring to Preach in Present Tense
I think, reflect, study, and even preach quite a bit about who God has been, sometimes without ever venturing to say what God is doing now.
What Does It Mean to Have a King?
Our lack of familiarity with true royal experience keeps us from fully appreciating the royal language of Scripture and worship.
Missionary Legacy: Joe Cannon
“Don’t cry for me at my funeral, pal, because I’ll be crying for you poor schmoes,” Joe said. Like Paul, this was a man who knew it was “better by far” to go on and be with Christ.
A Teacher's Prayer
Dear God, here they come,
twenty, forty, sixty, and more.
Oh God, steady my knees,
and nail my feet to the floor.
Fourteen Rules for Discerning Spirits (Part 1)
The discernment of spirits is one of those things that we know is in the Bible, but are not always eager to discuss. We aren’t avoiding the topic, I think it sounds too mystical for many Christians.
Master, the Tempest is Raging!
In my fear and despair, my anger and bitterness, I cry out at the top of my lungs and from the depths of my heart—begging, pleading for God to wake up and hear me.
Sacred Places: In Search of Ebenezers
There are two ways of discovering the places that are sacred in our life. One is a church, and the other is to have places designated as sacred for us because of the way God makes himself known there.