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The watchman on the wall
I am reading back through Ezekiel these days, asking the Lord about “imagination.” As I read through the early part of Ezekiel again, I am struck by Ezekiel’s call. I also think of Jeremiah’s call. They were to warn clearly regardless of the response. If they didn’t give the warning, God would hold them (the prophets) accountable. In an era where…
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We’ve camped at the mountain too long
What is the greatest enemy facing the Church in America today? “The treacherous enemy facing the church of Jesus Christ today is the dictatorship of the routine, when the routine becomes ‘lord’ in the life of the church. Programs are organized and the prevailing conditions are accepted as normal. Anyone can predict next Sunday’s service and what will happen… When…
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When the river of God flows
I have been reading through Ezekiel asking the Lord to restore my sense of wonder and imagination.
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The witness of the American Church and elections
This pastor is one I have as a “friend” on Facebook. I love reading his blog as well. His views on the American Church and elections are something I think should be heard. Of course, there is disagreement. But this interview is worth 20 or so minutes of listening.
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Evil in our world and what lasts
The weariness of terrorism and racism in our news last week can exhaust us. There are times when we truly wonder: How long, O Lord?” The psalm in my reading this morning gives me a reminder on perspective: “You love evil more than good; you love lying more than speaking what is right. Selah You love all destructive words; you…
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The sign of Jonah
In Luke 11:29 people ask for yet another sign from Jesus. Too often we are asking for a sign and don’t know what we’re asking in that request.
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The Lord’s Prayer
From the Common English Bible: Matthew 6:9-13 Pray like this: Our Father who is in heaven, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom so that your will is done on earth as it’s done in heaven. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also…
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The Clueless Church
As I walk through Ephesians I am struck again by the power the Church has in Christ. Yet, we stumble around without much of an idea as to who we really are in the kingdom of God.
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Restore to me the sense of wonder
This week we’ve received the news of the transition of Eugene Peterson. I have been deeply impacted by his life and work and continue to feel his impact that will last long past his time on this earth. I’m also working my way through a biography of Dallas Willard, another spiritual giant in my life who continues his walk with…
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We have lost imagination in ministry
I have no sense of imagination. I will miss Eugene Peterson. Peterson saw pastors moving from church to church, often in exhaustion, and identified the problem—a sense of pastor as program director for a church that often viewed the gospel as a way to success, or at least avoidance of suffering. His answer was a paradigm shift, but not the…
