TEXT Isaiah 58:1-12 Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practised righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous … Continue reading Bible Leads: Isaiah 58:1-12 (Ash Wednesday)
TEXT Luke 4:14-30 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 4:14-30
Today I turn 40 years old. That’s not too old. But I’ve been calling myself 40 for the past 11 months, so clearly, it’s been on my mind. I tend to be overly reflective anyhow, so I thought I would take the occasion to consider 40 moments in my life through which I know I changed. I’m calling these linchpins after the segment on the … Continue reading 40 Linchpin Moments in 40 Years
I want to write about the MLK holiday. There are several thoughts angling into my brain on this one. It’s probably best if I just lay them all out there at once. I deeply admire Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all that he stood for. I know that he was a freedom fighter, a philosopher, a preacher, a non-violent resister of oppression. I’ve studied … Continue reading How to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (if you’re white)
This past week, as a pastor, I… ate pancakes with 8 middle school boys I didn’t really know. joined 7 seniors and a young adult in contemplating what it means to be a good church member. consulted with 5 church members about recent vision work. ate chili. perused and studied (indulged) pop culture offerings from 1988. tried to take good care of the church property. … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
TEXT Luke 2:41-52 Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 2:41-52
This past week, as a pastor, I… thought a lot about Baptism. worried a lot about Christmas. thought and prepared a lot about Lent. ate an elementary school “lunch”. read a book and sat through a 5.5 hour lecture on church administration…and mostly liked it. scheduled a wedding for August. It’s been a good week. Continue reading This Week in Ministry
How much should you give to the church? Why give anything at all? You can give 10% of your income and still act like the world/church/God owes you something. Is that pleasing to God? What if you gave 5% with great appreciation and joy? Would God not accept that? It’s not as if God needs money anyway. GIVE FOR PASTORAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT As a … Continue reading Tithing, Generosity and the Church
Christianity is an untidy faith. It’s full of grace and therefore full of the breaking of rules and the loving of people despite their breaking of rules. Our guy–God in the flesh, the Savior of all creation–gets his ass whipped, his hands and feet nailed to a freaking tree trunk and his gut sliced open like a Christmas turkey*. His cousin had his head cut off*. … Continue reading Messy Religion
TEXT Luke 3:15-22 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy … Continue reading Bible Leads: Luke 3:15-22
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