I often take many things for granted. In fact, this past week, as I’ve been sick on my couch with the not-so-pleasant cough/cold/congestion combination that’s been going around, I’ve complained about many things. Being physically sick heightens my negativity, as I become critical of everything around me and in me. According to the four humours temperament theory, my primary disposition would probably be melancholic. And the extended time in isolated introspection sometimes leads me to...
Earlier this week, my fellow blogger Calvin Sodestrom penned an excellent piece on so called “church marketing.” While I agreed with most everything that Calvin said, I also wanted to press his point further and help us to reconsider how we go about “doing church.” Calvin’s insights were useful but as long as we are conceiving of church in the traditional paradigm, our comments on “marketing” will always be a bridge too short. In trying...
“Your love never fails. It never gives up. It never runs out on me.”* I stood, watching a gym full of hundreds of college students, singing these words of praise and truth. Arms-raised, dancing, clapping, and shouting – I admired their passion. The pulsing drums, the rocking guitars, the melodic keyboard, and the passionate vocals all came together to celebrate God’s relentless love. I joined them in singing these words, and I remembered sitting in...
My local church set aside this past week for a time of focused ministry in our own community here in Durham. A wide variety of service projects were engaged, from activities for children of all ages, serving coffee at the train station for the many commuters, cleaning up and doing repairs around the city, and all sorts of festivities. Of course, the purpose in each event was to shine the light of Christ into our...
This past weekend I went to my first Rugby match and watched Scotland narrowly defeat Ireland 12-8. This match was the third out of five games that Scotland is meant to play as part of the Six Nations Tournament (which includes England, Wales, France, and Italy as well). Last year Scotland earned the Wooden Spoon: the shameful prize awarded to the team that loses all five matches. Yet this year has been different. Although Scotland...
1. Discipleship is about a Relationship Michael Wilkins has defined a disciple of Jesus as one who “has come to Jesus for eternal life, has claimed Jesus as Savior and God, and has embarked upon the life of following Jesus.”[1] His very presence in my life and his promise to never leave nor forsake me, encourages me to daily follow Him. At the heart of following Him is this undeserved relationship I have...
“You know, I think every pastor should study sociology,” suggested Daniel[1], “that’s what I studied in college: if you really knew about communities and how people work, you could… well, pastors are leading groups of people- they need to know this stuff!” Such was the opinion of a customer of mine from last week as we helped him with his business transaction. “Sure, sociology would be helpful,” I thought, “but… theology more so. Were I...
“How is it they live for eons in such harmony the billions of stars when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their mind against someone they know.” -St. Thomas Aquinas The other night, Curiosity touched down on the surface of Mars. Engineers screamed and shouted inside the Mission Control Center in Pasadena, CA. Chants of “Science! Science! Science!” rang out over the crackle of the EDL leader announcing touchdown. We...
Confession: there is a part of me that hates Christmas time.* We might be quick to throw stones at Dr. Seuss’s scornful Grinch for his hatred of inarguably one of the world’s most celebrated holidays. And perhaps in part it is because his heart was 3 sizes too small. But regardless of his heart size, I contend there is certainly a tremendous amount of rational thinking that premeditated his Christmas heist. When we remember what...
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