This past week I was invited to speak at a youth event, which had servanthood and commissioning as its focus. It was organized by three youth pastors that are all close friends of mine. When they asked me to speak, they told me that I would be leading into a time of foot washing. This spiritual act would be a symbol for the way in which we are called to serve others, and for high school students, specifically those on... Read more
Here’s a video to ponder. This comes from the good folks at Work of the People, who create videos to be used in the context of church and various other communities… check them out! Any thoughts? Read more
Here’s some quality thoughts on “8 Starts to Avoid in your Preaching” from Rachel Blom: 1. Shocking start I’ve seen preachers use this technique and so far, none of them were successful. Starting with something shocking (a shocking video, quote, song, joke, etc) may seem like a sure way to grab your audience’s attention, but if often backfires for several reason. First of all, after a shock, it’s hard to keep interest for the rest of the sermon… 2. Predictable... Read more
I’ve noticed a trend in my life. When it comes to my worldview, the way I see reality, the way I see the Scriptures… I believe in a faith that focuses on God’s in-breaking future reality in the present. I believe in a Kingdom that each day can be realized “on earth as in heaven.” I believe in the final renewal of “all things” the final union of heaven and earth when Christ returns. But, for me, this isn’t some... Read more
When we cling to the sword, we flip the cross upside down to use it as our tool of death instead of God’s tool for bringing life. And so the story goes… I can remember a scene in the movie Independence Day. The drunken dad turned heroic father, Russell Case, chooses to sacrifice his life by flying his fighter jet into the belly of an alien ship. Russell Becomes a Hero Independence Day — MOVIECLIPS.com One of the best-known quotes... Read more
On Sunday afternoons I am going to invite you the readers to share a quick thought from your church experiences this past weekend. Share: Something insightful that challenged you in your life with God. Something hilarious that you heard or saw Something visual that you just had to take a picture of (Disqus comments allow you to upload a picture) Something that gave you a vision of the early church (more…) Read more
In what follows, you will read an “academic paper” in which I explore some elements of open theism (the link is to a brief introduction to open theism). This is a view of God’s foreknowledge that is controversial, but still in the evangelical family of belief. The most well known Christian leader who holds to this view is Greg Boyd. This will be a nine part series. ———————————————————————- Why This Discussion Matters Discussions about free will and sovereignty often lead... Read more
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as... Read more
Here’s a wonderful video by the folks at Chipotle that illustrates an important point about how we treat animals in the farming industry… (more…) Read more
Jesus vs Caesar! Gotta love this! Any thoughts on the following video??? (more…) Read more
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