O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The worship demanded by the gods of this age
Our rigid ideologies may be couched in “sacred” terms at times, but we need to understand the liturgy of our culture.
From the “right” to the “left” we are in liturgies to the different gods of our age. The demands are stringent. But to the “right” or the “left”, what is being sacrificed is the same thing: it is our children.
We will keep singing our righteous songs as to why OUR rigid ideologies are “right” and the other side is “wrong.” The gods of this age don’t care. The worship keeps coming and the next generation keeps getting sacrificed.
Lord, we are blind. Somehow, please open our eyes!
Day One
When we began this journey away from Heights Church and ministry in the Twin Cities, I thought about Paul’s journey to Troas in Acts 16. Initially, I thought the journey to Troas would include the move to Alabama. A few weeks ago the Lord let me know the journey to Troas was the four months of preparation for this move. The move to Alabama is the next step. Continue reading “Day One”
Thank you, Heights Church
Some last words
We are now down to TWO DAYS before movers show up and haul out the last of our worldly possessions.
Tomorrow… Sunday… I get the privilege of preaching one last time at Heights Church.
I have talked about how I have loved the city where I was able to live the past 20 years. But to pastor this church for almost 20 years… I need a book to explain how I love this church! The change that has happened in that time period… and all that is possible in the days ahead as they ready a transition to their next pastor… my heart is full.
All that God has done in the lives of these incredible people, and what that will mean in Columbia Heights for years to come, creates thankfulness in my heart.
Thank you, Heights Church.
Prayer for the Day on the National Day of Prayer
O God, the King eternal,
who divides the day from the night
and turns the shadow of death into the morning:
Drive far from us all wrong desires,
incline our hearts to keep your law,
and guide our feet into the way of peace;
that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day,
we may, when night comes,
rejoice to give you thanks;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I have loved this city
It was over 20 years ago I picked up a book that helped me understand how I was wired. The realization in my life at the time was I was wired for urban life. It wasn’t about “gentrification” or some nirvana feel of high end coffee shops and five star restaurants in proximity to billion dollar sports stadiums.
