Have It Your Way

A few weeks ago our community spent time going over our values: Faith, Love, and Hope.  We feel these are the three deepest values of being the church.  Of course, while studying love we read from 1 Corinthians 13.

This…

A Desk by the Window

I actually feel very blessed to have my “tent-making” job by a window.  I complain but honestly God is in the details of my circumstances, BUT I really wish I had my way.  To have the luxury of supporting my…

Don’t Ever Forget

I have a confession.  Left to my own resolve I rush.  This causes me to miss so much and forget so easily.  There are those moments that I will never forget, images carved into my memory.  I’ll always remember a…

The Way Church Will Be

So I picked up this book a few weeks ago.  It was written by a pollster, John Zogby, the book is called “The Way We’ll Be: The Transformation of The American Dream.” Although it’s a tough read, not…

A Biblical Approach to Weed

What is more annoying than weeds?  Until last weekend I had a whole backyard full of them.  But there is something staggering about them – their everywhere! They grow where there is little water (or shallow amounts), where the sun…

Human Filters

What’s your filter?  Everyone has a filter, it’s whatever worldview, orthodoxy, or understanding you use to strain, sort, and categorize what goes through your senses (hear, see, smell, touch, taste). These filters can be good and they can be harmful. …

Book Recession

Let me be honest we’ve been blessed to not be directly impacted by the “recession” besides some close family salaries being decreased.  But Summer and I work in fields that are doing well during this time.

But that doesn’t mean…

We Must Change

Did you know the phrase “under god” in the pledge of allegiance has not always been in the pledge.  It was put in during the Eisenhower administration (1953-61) to help distinguish the United States from the “godless” communists in the…

I’m Not Catholic…

But I observe Lent.  I keep Lent because I’m a follower of Jesus.  I respect the journey, not so much the ritual. If you keep a daily planner or schedule your weeks around a purchased calendar you can’t escape the…

What is Love?

Okay, so I’m on some love kick!  But since I’m leading a missional community and many of the people involved are returning to Jesus or investigating faith the subject of love and relationships are all around us.  I find myself…

Valentine’s Day Fuss

I’ve been looking to write about fighting in marriage for awhile.  Since Valentine’s Day is this weekend – couldn’t think of a better time (my wife is now laughing or frowning). I think this subject is very serious.  Growing up…

Stories

I’ve been thinking about “story” a lot recently; specifically our nation’s story.  We have a first African-American president in Obama and his been compared to Abraham Lincoln, which is electrifying as we celebrate 100 years of the NAACP (Feb. 12.…

God’s Example

God way ahead of culture.

Thoughts on Church

For months now I have been asking myself what it means to be the Church.  For some reason the idea of a scheduled meeting time and structure recognition does not resonate.  I recognize it is dangerous and unconventional to think…

Twelve Days of Christmas

It’s the season for shopping (I can’t believe I just typed that).  So my family has begun the race to buy gifts and roam the crowded malls.  As we shopped last weekend I noticed that Pottery Barn displayed using the…

Nebuchadnezzar for President

A few weeks ago a coworker and I were sitting in our lobby watching the last Presidential Debate.  I tried not to miss any of the debates – including the Vice President.  My coworker looked at me and said, “You’re…

Jesus doing what He does

A few weeks ago our group (Graceland People) discussed what happens when Jesus comes into your life?  This discussions origin came from an unbeliever friend of mine (His not atheist but agnostic).  He didn’t understand why people say…

New Evangelism

Maybe I’m not clear, “I’m a pastor, I lead churches, people worship and I help!” This is the thought that feels my mind as kind, thoughtful people hand me their church invitation.  I don’t understand why but I routinely get…

New Evangelism, part two

Last, week Graceland People sent out a prayer request about Thanksgiving and our upcoming weekend Life Group.  The Life Group discussion will be about evangelism.  One line has caused some to question my meaning.  I want to develop…

Security and God

Recently I’ve heard more talks on issues of security than in the past.  Much of this is due to the financial crisis we face globally, some in reaction to the U.S. election, and others in response to culture and church. …

Changing Jesus?

Why don’t I blog more? Recently, my view on the world, ministry, church planting, family, friends, and life in general has been transforming.  I guess I don’t blog more because I don’t want to come over shifty? I consider myself…