GONNA GET TO SEE THEM This past week a number of my friends gushed excitedly about family members who, because of the rising numbers of vaccinations, they were finally going to be able to see. “We haven’t seen so and so for 12 months!” Here’s the interesting part. They were finally “going to see” family members they had regularly seen […]
Much has been written in many places on fasting. Read up on it. Jesus did it. The disciples did it. The Bible talks about it. I do not remember anyone at the Seminary encouraging me seriously to consider fasting as part of a regular spiritual discipline, but through the years I experimented with and expanded my practice of it. It […]
GOD GENE? In any number of publications, you will find articles about a so called “god gene.” Scientists think they are finding evidence that there is a genetic predisposition toward being “religious.” What do you think about that? Is there a “religious gene” because religiousness at some point was advantageous for the human race? Is it from a mutation? Is […]
Thigh pads, shoulder pads, cleats and a helmet. Tuxedo, tie and dress shoes. Weighted boots, oxygen supply, pressurized suit. Scrubs, gloves, mask. To get ready to play football, perform in an orchestra, fly to the moon or conduct surgery requires getting suited up. Getting suited up for the mission of God consists in putting on the panoply of God, the […]
“Pastor, what does God want me to do with my life?” If I had a nickel for every time I have heard that, I wouldn’t be rich, but I would have a few dollars. Consecrated Christians do desire to follow God’s leading, take his path, make decisions in accord with his will, but the way forward is often unclear. There […]
Year ago I led a sectional at a pastors’ conference. The committee asked me to talk about meeting the needs of our communities in these difficult times. (This was years ago. Interesting, the times are always difficult.) While ministries like coat distribution, food pantries, after school youth center and so on meet some of the needs, there is another way […]
This goes back a while. Seven-Up conducted an ad campaign designating itself as the Un-Cola. It was still a pop (or soda), but it was different. Cola was not a bad thing; the un-cola was a different thing. Many Christians, at least functionally, consider “church work” to be connected with maintaining the local congregation. Make no mistake that is indeed […]
I wish for you something more than success in life. I wish you significance. Aim higher than success; seek significance. Success tends to be measured in opponents conquered and things accumulated. Significance is measured in the difference made. Success is always at risk. Significance endures. The first and most fundamental step on the path toward significance is simple. It is […]
You have often heard people say, “Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” People attribute it to St. Francis of Assisi. While many have repeated this mantra, it turns out St. Francis never said it. Actually, he was known as quite a preacher—the words mattered to him. The Gospel of Jesus, because it consists in a message, necessitates words, verbalization. […]
Never let anyone or anything steal your joy. You are sons and daughters of the Most High God! You have the hosts of heaven helping you and the gates of heaven waiting for you. Your sins, faults and failures are washed clean. God is with you and for you. Of course, you also have bills to pay. Projects at work […]