The Story of Us (Creation)

Text: Genesis 2: 26-31   I just returned from Israel.  I was asked several times how this pilgrimage continues to impact me after traveling to the Holy Land so many times.  I responded that on each trip I become more spiritually “rooted.”  Rooted in the way that keeps you healthy, nourished and vital.  Rooted in

Does Your Church Want a Future? (then “get” this!)

History will look upon the years that spanned our lifetimes and declare them to be a period of seismic cultural shift.  In the same way the Gutenberg Press changed the world in 1439, the advent of the personal computer and the internet has changed the world again.  We live in a time when the Norman

My Constant Temptation (is to just check out)

My constant temptation is to simply check out. Cash it in, retire, unplug, disconnect, disappear into the woods with Melissa, our 200 year old rescue dog and a Bible and have no idea who becomes President in the next election.  Social distancing cubed.  The manic state of the world, a godless culture and our divided

“We Want Out!” (the loudest voice the #UMC isn’t hearing)

  There is an increasingly resonant voice in the United Methodist conflict emerging from both congregations and pastors.   It is a voice not being heard.   It does not receive invitations to the negotiating table.   It is a voice becoming too loud to ignore.   “We want out!”   As the United Methodist

Telling the Truth (About Jesus)

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you

The Work of the Holy Spirit (Part II)

BAPTIZED BY FIRE: THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part II) Text: Romans 12: 6-8 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part I)

BAPTIZED BY FIRE: THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part I) Acts 2: 1-6   You may wonder why I would write on a topic as historically controversial as the Holy Spirit.  For me, it is an issue of disconnect and firepower.  The disconnect is that standard practice in most churches does not even remotely

Why I Believe What I Believe… Hebrews, Orthodoxy and Hope in Christ (Part VI)

  Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.  3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that

Discovering God’s Will (A Different Perspective)

  Trust in the Lord with all your heart;     do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,     and he will show you which path to take. -Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)   Recently I had a faith discussion with a good friend who was troubled by the notion of God having a “plan”

Why I Believe What I Believe… Hebrews, Orthodoxy and Hope in Christ (Part IV)

Welcome to my forth installment of “Hebrews, Orthodoxy and Hope in Christ.”  Let’s begin with scripture: In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.  And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so