Sometimes I feel like I ought to wear my collar during the week, just to better illustrate the things I do as a pastor. This week I just did a lot of seeing other people in various capacities. So this we, as a pastor, I … ate a ton of Thanksgiving food, almost 2 weeks before the actual day. stumbled over praying for Paris, then wrote … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
This week’s Humpday Devo is about All Saints’ Day, celebrated this Sunday, November 1. Scripture But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not … Continue reading Humpday Devo: All Saints’ Day
TEXT John 6:24-35 So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because … Continue reading Bible Leads: John 6:24-35
It’s Black History Month. It’s important to observe it. It’s important to remember and learn and recommit to eradicating racism. One part of my observation of Black History Month is an examination of White Privilege. I am examining it as a cultural phenomenon, for sure. But I am more interested in examining it as a reality I experience. I want to know the privilege around … Continue reading A Cure for White Privilege? (Introduction)
I am following WordPress.com’s Blogging 101 course. Here is the assignment for September 15 “Introduce Yourself” My name is Christopher Gudger-Raines. I blog to collect my thoughts. I blog to write, as a discipline and an artform. I blog to hash out ideas and concerns. My blog has had several iterations over the years and has rarely had much of a following. I think it is … Continue reading Who Am I and Why Am I Here (Blogging 101)
This has been sitting in the draft folder for a while now. [Y]ou also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ [1 Peter 2:5 (NIV) Read the whole passage] We live in a skeptical age. It’s not just that people don’t believe in God. Perhaps the bigger tragedy is … Continue reading Spiritual Houses, a Reflection on 1 Peter 2:5
One day, I’m going to work in a grocery store. When people have a need, they will ask me. If I don’t get something, they’ll tell me a second time. They may call me a pinhead the third time, but at least I’ll know what they need. I won’t be paid a lot, but I’ll be part of that neat gang of friends that check … Continue reading Ministry in the Clinical Setting also known as the Grocery Store
I once did something wrong. Actually, I started out to do something right. Though I was on the right side of justice, I pursued it in a destructive manner. My short-lived position on the right-side quickly gave way to a prolonged stay on the wrong side. My wife called me out. Initially, she understood my indignation and supported me. Before I saw the real error … Continue reading The Trouble with Women
I would tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. Or perhaps, Matthew 6:1 applies. Of course, I just violated Mt. 6:1 so there you go. Continue reading My Lenten Disciplines
Yes: It’s about the guns. If it weren’t about the guns, people wouldn’t rush into defending the 2nd amendment mere hours after a massacre of kindergartners If it weren’t about guns, there would not be a small but loud minority pushing for guns in the hands of school teachers. If it weren’t about the guns, people wouldn’t dismiss those who have been through this before. If … Continue reading It’s About the Guns
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