When I lead mission trips, one of the key tools I take with me are journals. I encourage each member of the team to keep a personal journal where they can write memories and insights then reflect upon them in prayer to see if they can sense the Holy Spirit leading them to a deeper understanding of themselves, of God and of their experience. I […]
Jesus told his disciples they were to, “Go.” The Great Commission, as it has come to be known, was an assignment to take the knowledge and experience of the saving grace of God and go to furthest corners of the world to share it. Such a task requires action to complete. There is no room for passivity and apathy, this is a mission of passion and purpose. […]
I’ve been reading (and rereading) Radical, by David Platt. It is a challenging look at how we blend American culture and philosophies with the Gospel message. More that simply understanding the message of the Bible through our cultural background, Platt argues we are reworking the true message of the biblical witness to fit our personal agendas and preconceptions. As I reviewed the chapter on we […]
What does God want for Christmas? It may sound like a strange question, but it may be the most important one we answer in this season. As we approach the holiday, many of us are scurrying to make all of the necessary preparations for our family and friends. There is food to buy, decorations to find and hang, and, of course, presents to buy. In […]
A Childis born to usand His name shall be calledWonderful, Counselor, MightyThe King. A sonis given nowof His kingdom and peacethere shall be no end. He will reignalways. JesusLight of the worldfound in human likenessHe is here to deliver hopeto all. Saviorwe welcome YouCome make our hearts Your home.Be born in us anew each dayAmen. (A Holiday Cinquain)
Today, is the culmination of our congregation’s annual stewardship campaign. On this Consecration Sunday, we ask people to reaffirm their commitment to be stewards of all God gives them. Yes, this involves a financial pledge, but in includes so much more. Stewardship can be an unpopular topic. We like our privacy. We tire of the media voices inundating us with requests for money, and honestly, […]
I remember the excitement I felt prior to my wedding. After several years of dating including a two year engagement, the day we waited for was about to arrive. Our wedding day was even postponed one year due to an unexpected illness, so as the time approached, we were both ready to celebrate. More than anything, I could not wait to make our new home where […]
I confess, I am one of those people who loves logic puzzles. I think it goes back to my childhood when my father would use them to get me to go to sleep, or to be quiet in the car. He would say, “Charlie, I will give you 50 cents if you can answer this,” and then there would be some mental puzzle about two […]
The Good News is meant to be “good news.” The Gospel is meant to inspire and encourage. Even when it challenges and rebukes, the purpose of the message is good. God gave us a precious gift when he entrusted the stewardship of this message to us because how we share His Word affects the way it is received and as with anything holy, it must […]
Dr. Samuel P. Langley was a respected former professor of mathematics and astronomy who became the director of the Smithsonian Institution. He was an accomplished thinker, scientist, and inventor who published several important works on aerodynamic. He also possessed a vision for achieving manned flight. In 1898, Langley approached the U.S. War Department for funding to design and build and airplane to carry a man […]