Every week church communities gather to worship. Worship includes singing; the vocalizing of praise and gratefulness, the words spoken to tune that can be declaration of rich theology and truth. People have varied emotions about singing but for the people of God singing has always been significant, powerful and formational. Songs can put words into our mouths that remind our hearts… Read more »
How we handle differences can reveal how we are maturing spiritually! Differences are a testing ground for how we respond to challenges, to opinions strongly stated, and to disagreements. Differences need not bring division, but they can. In fact, when those disagreeing begin to polarize, they may “reach” for other proofs or substantiations. That was happening in the church in… Read more »
I’ve heard leaders, in conversation with other leaders, say “I really don’t need worship but maybe once a month.” What does that mean? Do they feel it is a need or feeling that can be satiated one time a month? Have you looked carefully at the pattern of Jesus? To begin with, he was an Israelite. The people of Israel… Read more »
The statement is often made, “I want to do this for the Kingdom.” Maybe so, but then again, maybe not so much. I find myself often hearing the Spirit processing my motive, “Why do you want that? Why would you like to be that speaker, that leader who does that?” And my heart is split open. Though I want a… Read more »
Every day we can enter the amazing reality of God’s goodness and greatness. It is accessible through prayer and through the Word. The Word is an entry point to how the Lord blesses, moves, turns challenges into places of praise, restores our inner thoughts and shuts down the voice of the enemy. Yesterday I experienced some challenging news. I chose to pray. The… Read more »
Have you noticed, the ways of God can at times stir anxiety and other times produce in us wonder and awe? And yes, at times we can experience both in the same setting. In Mark 10, Jesus is headed to Jerusalem knowing he is walking into a death trap. The scripture highlights for us the picture of the circles. Two groups… Read more »
Jesus said he came so that we would have abundant life. Really? Do you know many people who would describe their life as abundant? Jam packed? Stressed? Over committed? Yes to all of the above, but abundant? Full of meaning and hope? Not quite. Which begs the question of why? Why is it that what Jesus promised we can’t seem to find? Is… Read more »
Our church had been through a long season of challenge. The leaders had made the shift and the focus was clear. I then said to the Lord, “We need a blessing. Would you send us people?” The response was immediate, “No chance!” It was shocking, but somehow didn’t seem like a rebuke. “If I send you people now you will shift back to your… Read more »
Life without wonder is lived small, lived in the confines of our thinking, our ability, our limitations. Wonder opens our imagination. Wonder calls us to live in majesty, in the amazement of a God to whom nothing is impossible. Wonder opens us to possibilities and future. Leaders need wonder. Leaders need to be captured by the majesty of the Lord who orchestrates future, who calls… Read more »
When Your Friends Go Crazy! He was going through a challenging season – major work decisions, high stress. Truth is, he was quite difficult to be around. Chaos, high tension and fear was the cloud following him. Others can be difficult to be around when they are going through a tough season. Of course, we can be just as challenging,… Read more »