Spiritual Growth >
The wedding party was set. The three year-old, twin nephews walked down the aisle in their tuxedos ringing bells while their sister follows with flower petals dropping them one by one. But then he enters—the ring bearer. With ring and pillow in hand, he sprints down the aisle spinning ...
Spiritual Growth >
A couple of years ago, I attended a graduation ceremony at a major university. The keynote speaker was the chief surgeon at one of the nation’s leading hospitals. I didn’t know him, but apparently he was a huge deal.As you might expect, he had a laundry list of credentials but ...
Spiritual Growth >
It seems to me that in order to join a church in today’s religiously charged culture, you have to do more that declare “Jesus is Lord!” You also have to have an opinion on a litany of questions: MSNBC or Fox News? Republican or Democrat? Liberal or conservative? NPR or ...
Spiritual Growth >
On the disciples went into the city to fulfill Jesus’ request. They are clueless as to why Jesus needs a donkey. They are clueless to the fact that they were participating in the in-breaking of God’s kingdom for Jerusalem. They are clueless they were fulfilling prophecy. Clueless Zechariah 9:9 says: ...
Spiritual Growth >
Theologian N.T. Wright finds this parable of the fig tree to be quite strange. He says, “This terrifying warning, about the political and military consequences of not heeding Jesus’ call to repent and change in Luke 13, is at once amplified by this almost humorous, yet in fact quite sinister, ...
Spiritual Growth >
I’m a part of a lot of peer groups. As a matter of fact, probably too many. I have a group I meet with weekly on Thursday evenings. I have another group I meet with every fourth Thursday. I have a life coach, a consultant, a spiritual director and a ...
Spiritual Growth >
Diana Butler Bass (along with others) is publishing frequently about the sociological shifts occurring in churches. She’s helped us see church growth used to be based on the formula: “Believe. Behave. Belong.”If you believe what we believe and behave the way we behave, then you will eventually come to belong. ...
Spiritual Growth >
Love is much more of a daily decision than a feeling. I’m not sure I would have said this sentence five years ago. Then I was still looking to gratify my own sensual and sexual needs. I was coupling an imaginative story of success and happiness with these needs and ...
Spiritual Growth >
Jesus on the mountain of Transfiguration meets up with gigantic heroes of old. God’s voice comes out of the clouds announcing Jesus' authority and blessedness. We, as the readers, see him as the new Moses as well as the new Elijah. We see his majesty, the celebration, the hope . ...
Spiritual Growth >
In November 2011 I had the privilege of hearing N.T. Wright speak. His lecture title was, “How God Became King.” It’s been over a year since that day and it still sits as one of the more profound moments in my faith journey.He opened with an insightful look at the ...