“I’ll give you more than a song. For a song in itself is not what you have required.” When we think of worship we may only think of it terms of singing but what made these lyrics from Michael W. Smith’s song “The Heart of Worship” so powerful is that worship is so much more.
God is Doing Something: Worship, Communion, & Baptism
Do we receive grace from God through sacraments? In this blog, I comment on three quotes from John Mark Hicks regarding the gathered church, communion, and baptism. Continue reading “God is Doing Something: Worship, Communion, & Baptism”
TGIF Armchair Contemplative
Ministering out of a deep center. Becoming a less anxious person. These are two reasons why I chose to accept an invitation to join the first cohort called Contemplative Minister’s Initiative organized by the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry at ACU and funded by generous private donors. Thank you for this truly life changing ministry! I am more than blessed to have been a part of this pioneer group. Continue reading “TGIF Armchair Contemplative”
Fast and See
“For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” – Acts 9:3
Saul, better known as Paul, persecuted Christians. He was zealous for it and he was really good at it. He was following a lead which took him toward Damascus. But his plans were interrupted. Read Acts 9:1-19
Jesus stopped him in a flash, with a blinding flash of light from heaven. Saul, a man who thought he saw the will of God clearly, was now blind.
In his state of blindness Saul prayed and fasted for three days. What Saul experienced, there was no denying it – there was no denying that Jesus was the Risen Lord.
One Spiritual Discipline You Must Practice
“…One of the deepest longings of the human heart is to be known and loved unconditionally,” says Ruth Haley Barton as she begins chapter six of her book Sacred Rhythms. A common desire among us is that we want others to be authentic and transparent. A byproduct of this desire is that it requires that we be open and transparent with others. We want people to “be real.” We also want to be known and loved for who we are. We fear though, that if we act as we want others to act with us, with openness, then they will reject us. Being open opens us up to unwanted ridicule and judgment.
Continue reading “One Spiritual Discipline You Must Practice”
Eat This Book: The Christian Diet of Listening
Many people experience prayer as a burden and not as a pleasure.
Even if it is agreed upon as important most people feel guilty about their failure to pray enough. Why does prayer rank so high on surveys of theoretical importance and so low on surveys of actual satisfaction? Why does prayer seem such a struggle?
We may feel as though we lack the words to pray. Could it be that our frame work of prayer needs to change?
Continue reading “Eat This Book: The Christian Diet of Listening”
Why You Need to Stop Being Busy and Waste Time with God
I’m a preacher and the stereotype for preachers is that we like to hear ourselves speak. It’s different when I am alone. When I am alone I grow tired of my inner voice. It’s too critical. Sometimes I am the last person I want to hear from. That may appear too self-deprecating, but for me I talk too much and I may fall in love with my own thoughts instead of the mind of God. I also may love preaching too much. There is a tension to manage of wanting to be around people so that they might like me and wanting to glorify God. Continue reading “Why You Need to Stop Being Busy and Waste Time with God”