I grew up Catholic but when I went to college I stopped going to mass. The only time I remember going was during Holy Week (Holy Week leads up to Easter). I attended a Maundy/Holy Thursday service. I went because I thought I might witness the Stations of the Cross. They did not give the Stations that evening. I missed it and it is one of the traditions that I miss from my Catholic days. I did not go the next day of any other day afterward. I thought, “this may be last time I go to church.” Little did I know, God had different plans.
Prophetic Imagination
Walter Brueggemann makes a case for God’s people to recapture the prophetic imagination of God’s prophets. He calls us to recapture it because we are encapsulated by our surrounding, dominant, and pervasive culture. Starting with Moses he demonstrates to the reader how God’s people are to be a part of an alternative community. Moses was not simply interested in social justice but he was preaching a message that ushered in God’s re-creation. The Israelites had been enslaved so long that they did not know an alternative to their way of life as slaves.
A Gathered People
“There is no such thing as lone ranger Christianity in the New Testament; there is no suggestion that a person can be vitally united with Christ and growing spiritually apart from the church.” – Roger E. Olson.
TGIF Humility
I’ve got some great links to share this week! You may have heard it said that “humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” Humility today would make anyone’s top ten list of positive character traits. Humility is a virtue and it is listed high on theoretical importance, yet it is eroded by our western culture’s pull towards power and status. We pursue happiness and fulfillment through selfish ambition. True ambition is the pursuit of loving God and everybody more. Continue reading “TGIF Humility”
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.
TGIF Inauguration Day
I hope you have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. Best of luck to the Obamas in this new phase of life. Pray, pray, pray for our new president, his administration, and our nation. Continue reading “TGIF Inauguration Day”
A Thousand Sermons: Why I Preach
When I was let go from my first vocational ministry the one thing I knew I wanted to continue to do was preach. I had no idea where God would take me, but it was clear in my mind what I was to do when I got there. The urge to preach was like my second calling. The first being my original calling to ministry while still in college. God wouldn’t leave me alone about it.
Can I CHANGE the World?
Can I change the world? If it were possible then where would I start? How many people must I impact with the love of Jesus to make a difference?
Mother Teresa is quoted as saying,
“Never worry about the numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” Continue reading “Can I CHANGE the World?”
God is Closer Than You Think
Jesus is found in the unlikeliest of places.
Against what you may have been told Mary and Joseph likely stayed beneath someone’s home, because there were no guest rooms in Bethlehem. In their day, this is where people kept their animals. Not in a stable but a dark damp cave.
TGIF Links
Thank God it’s Friday!
Here are some blogs, articles and podcasts that I just wanted to share with you. Have an awesome weekend and be the church!
Leaders are learners! Continue reading “TGIF Links”