Comedian Jim Gaffigan has a bit about taking his family to Disney World in his special Mr. Universe. He compares Disney World in July to standing in line on the surface of the sun. “Remember when you were a kid and you would go on vacation and go, ‘why is dad always in a bad mood? Now I understand.’” It’s funny because it’s true. Vacation isn’t always what it appears to be. Continue reading “Left to Our Own Devices: Power Down”
Self-Indulgence VS Self-Sacrifice
The Babylonians invaded Judah in 605 BC and took many young Jewish males into captivity. They took the best and brightest which included Daniel. Daniel may have been around 15 years old at the time (a teachable age). The Babylonians would then convert their captives to the ways of their culture. These young men after a three-year training were to become servants to the king. They would receive a privileged status.
That doesn’t sound too bad, right? Tempting, is it not? Continue reading “Self-Indulgence VS Self-Sacrifice”
Just-for-Men-Preacher
“But you’re so young.” This was the concern of many minister search teams when I was interviewing for my next ministry. Once I responded with, “I’m thirty-five years old, it’s not like I’m living in my mom’s basement playing Halo.” I listened to my wife’s counsel not to respond to that concern in that way again. What we might be prone to think is that we want our leaders to have arrived. What if instead we desired that our leaders and ourselves be ever-growing. Continue reading “Just-for-Men-Preacher”
TGIF Lent
I’ve got six dynamite links to share with you today! From The Shack, to sharing your faith, to Lent. I hope that they will be life enriching to you and that they will help you to see Jesus more clearly. Go and do good for God while you still have the opportunity and have an awesome weekend! Continue reading “TGIF Lent”
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.
[hungry?] // FAST21
Sign-up for FAST21 to take part in a life changing experience with God. Beginning January 1st and ending on January 22nd each day you will receive a scripture and prayer guide to couple with your fast.
What might change in 2017 if you chose to dedicate the first part of the year to God with fasting and prayer?
How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be?
How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be? – Ruth Haley Barton
I was somewhat familiar with the concept of having a rule of life. Yet, I first desired to learn more about this rhythm for spiritual formation when I listened to a theologian describe a weekly schedule he shared with his wife at my first spiritual formation retreat.
What he described was enough to wet my appetite.
Continue reading “How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be?”
“I’m Busy” is Not a Badge of Honor
Wayne Muller says, in his book Sabbath, “If we do not allow for a rhythm of rest in our overly busy lives, illness becomes our Sabbath – our pneumonia, our cancer, our heart attack, our accidents create Sabbath for us.”