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Some Thoughts on Silence and Solitude
As we prepare for a silent retreat this weekend, I like to think of the words of others who have gone before: Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our lives are in danger. Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure. Somewhere we…
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The New Pope
A southern hemisphere pope, recognizing the shift of the church. Is he named Francis I for Francis of Assisi or Francis Xavier? Maybe a little of both? The thing I find interesting is that the picture below looks a bit like James Cromwell, which means Cromwell can now play two popes in his lifetime.
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The Practice of Silence
This weekend I am leading some brave souls in my church in a silent retreat. Here are some thoughts from Dallas Willard as we prepare for the weekend: Silence is a crucial spiritual discipline for American Christians today. Contemporary life also makes it one of the most difficult to practice. Silence is, in every time and place, an essential way…
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Finishing Well
A great pastor in our fellowship went home to be with the Lord last night. Mark Denyes was founding pastor of Emmanuel Christian Center in the Twin Cities and a great man of prayer. He lived as a great example of a pastor for thousands. For me, he was an example of a man of prayer. He is no longer…
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Two Great Words: Fear and Hate
It is incredibly interesting that two words we try to avoid and “correct” in our world are fear and hate. Yet, in the Bible, they are words that have a different meaning in a different context. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov. 1:7, NIV) 10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of…
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The Vatican, the Pope, and Conspiracy Theories
Journalists really like to throw out the intrigue… even if there might not be any. So, read about the battle royale over “reformers” and “Romans” HERE. But don’t forget to fill out your bracket!
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Pope Bracketology
As the conclave starts this week, make sure you have your brackets ready! This March it’s b-ball in America and c-ball (cardinal ball) in Rome.
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Eyes that fail to see
18 Don’t you have eyes? Why can’t you see? Don’t you have ears? Why can’t you hear? Don’t you remember? (Mark 8:18, CEB) A Prayer of Confession Lord, I am too often with the disciples on this one. You are trying to teach, and you generously give me lesson after lesson, yet when you quiz me on something you just said,…
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International Women’s Day… Plus One
I hope this is a month long opportunity, since I’m fairly sure I missed the “official” day. (When do guys remember anything correctly when it comes to women, right?) At any rate, as I took a post to celebrate two great black preachers (William J Seymour and Martin Luther King, Jr.), I want to give thanks for influential women in…
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The Lesson of the Underwear
These are days when I am fascinated by English translations and wish I knew Hebrew. (And I know at least TWO comments I will get on that statement alone.) Jeremiah is part of our Lenten reading and the symbolic things Jeremiah had to do were… um… interesting. This one from Jeremiah 13 is really interesting. First, the “polite” version: This is what…
