Most of us, at one time or another, struggle with the reality and prospect of unanswered prayers. We read about promises that if we have enough faith we will be heard or we read that if we ask we will get or if we ask in God’s will we will get what we want — and we ask, and we work on our own faith, and we evaluate whether we are asking according to God’s will … AND we ask... Read more
Kris and I had a wonderful time in Portland. To begin with, once again we were treated to the glories of mountains, deep gorges, and waterfalls cascading down green mountains. You can see what I mean here: |inline Read more
The psalmist is crying out for deliverance from his persecutors. He wants to be delivered so he can continue a life of Torah observance. He cries out to God all night long — and the foundation for his cry for deliverance is significant: |inline Read more
The first three elments of apostolic genius, or missional DNA (mDNA), according to Alan Hirsch in his The Forgotten Ways, are: (1) centrality of Jesus, (2) disciple-making, and (3) a missional-incarnational impulse. Today we look at #4: an apostolic environment of leadership. The apostle was a custodian of mDNA and the gospel — and an apostolic, missional leader “imparts and embeds mDNA” (153). |inline Read more
I’ll be analyzing Rob Bell’s new book, Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality, starting sometime next week. Rob’s on tour about this book now. Any thoughts? Read more
We were invited to Portland to speak at the Pacific Northwest Covenant Church’s annual meeting called “Crossing Borders.” The focus was on racial reconciliation and on missional work. The day began with a time of worship, led by a former student, Jelani Greenidge, at Irvington Covenant Church. |inline Read more
The psalmist is diligent. Notice his words — a kind of two-step direction in his diligence: |inline Read more
According to Steven Keillor in his God’s Judgments: Interpreting History and the Christian Faith, the fundamental obstacle for Christians’ interpreting historical events is the philosophical stance called “worldview.” Mark Noll writes the foreword and admits he’s a worldview thinker and Keillor’s got him thinking. |inline Read more
The qof section of Psalm 119, vv. 145-152, explores the psalmist’s call to God. The psalmist, once again in a condition of being hunted down like an animal (v. 150), cries out to God. And along with his cry is a corollary. |inline Read more
Second Sunday in Lent O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astry from thy ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of thy Word, Jesus Christ thy Son; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Preface of Lent Read more
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