Here’s a simple poem that works great as an ending to a sermon on the Healing of the Paralytic in Mark 2:1-12 Dust and shingles fall on the floor Hypocrisy has blocked the door A suffocating crowd around And all of this distracting sound These four guys had no building code To renovate this small abode. To…
Month: February 2017
The Gospel of Enough
I grew up under the theology of scarcity. It centered around the hear-tell rumours that I didn’t have what it took to be a “really good” Christian. There were those repetitive voices outside and inside my head that said, “try harder, do more, get better.” I gazed up at the impossible bar and counted myself out. My inadequacy…
A Shepherd’s Portrait
Actor #1: “The Lord is my shepherd,” David writes. Actor #2: But what kind of shepherd is God? Through the years we have asked this question. Actor #1: The deceiver has painted many portraits of God as shepherd. Perhaps you have one hidden away in the gallery of your psyche. Here are a few: Actor #2: Imposter #1—…
Hurricane People and Storm Shelters
While churning away on the eliptical Saturday at Planet Fitness, I saw the very beginning of Sandra Bullock movie called “The Proposal.” As the movie opens, a busy office is on high alert because their oppressive, driven boss is walking through the door. “It’s Here!” they message each other in the on their bulky 2008 computers. (See clip below)…
Ask, Seek and Knock: The Jesus Approach to Prayer
Jesus invites us to ask (and keep on asking), to seek (and keep on seeking) to knock (and keep on knocking). See Matthew 7:7 In this passage, I sense that Jesus is challenging us to pray continually in three different paradigms. 1: To Ask– This is the practice of vocalization. So often my prayers are scattered…
The Ultimate Fixer Upper Reveal
I just finished reading Joanna and Chip Gaines, The Magnolia Story. By the way, it’s a great read, even for guys like me that end up as accidental HGTV viewers. In the book, the Gaines share amazing stories of how their lives intersected and through courage, faith and perseverance God began to build things in their…
WARNING
This book contains Lion hunts Giant death matches Angel wrestling Honeymoon Bride Mix-ups Blazing Chariots Talking Mules Sorcerers Sword fights Fire-walking Streakers Supernatural apparitions Shipwrecks Exorcisms Romance Nights afloat Blues songs Bear attacks Ambushes Snake pits Man-eating fish This book cannot be tamed. It’s not a comedy of manners complete with tea and crumpets. It’s…
Waiting, Prodigals, and Prayer
As I wait for my prodigal to return, I am learning. I’m learning about family dynamics, addiction, and culture. I am learning about nights awake, bargaining, denial and anything to forget. I’m learning about doubt and all those things never spoken on “Christian” television. I am learning about how deep in the bones we are connected…
Fake News that Many Christians Believe
Frankly, I’m tired of hearing about fake news. Fake news draws in the gullible at an alarming rate. You’ve certainly had friends on social media post links about all sorts of deliberately crafted lies in order to press an agenda. And It’s not just the world outside the church. We see incredulous, hyperbolic news to support the…
Tell Me the Story
A hymn or worship reading. #1:The gospel is the story that pierces, #3: molds, #1: feeds, #2: reveals, #3: penetrates, #1: sanctifies, #3: heals, #1: humbles, #2: and saves. #3: “Tell me the story,” we sing,