Back when I was studying the Bible in college, I was introduced to a young biblical scholar named Knofel Staton.  He was a professor in a college that was part of the Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, the denomination of my youth.  Over the years I read many of Staton's 35 books.  IContinue reading "Women leaders in the church"

This Sunday I am preaching a message entitled:  Go to the Poor.  It's causing me a lot of tension on the Monday before.  Our church really does care for the poor ... one of elements I like about this Vineyard.  But I've been thinking about it today as I sit here at my desk inContinue reading "Simply Go to the Poor"

Matthew 24:38-39 (English Standard Version) 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. THEContinue reading "Behind the Scenes at the World Cup"

The graduation party invitations have rolled in the last few weeks.  Buying graduation cards is not easy.  Not with these messages inside cards:  "Your accomplishments are wonderful."  "Continue to reach for the stars."  "You are the best of the best."I've been reading Bernard Bangley's modern retelling of The Imitation of Christ, the 500-year-old spiritual classicContinue reading "Graduation advice from “The Imitation of Christ”"

St. Augustine admited that his self-image as a seeker after spiritual truth was not match by his indulgent life style.Augustine and his friends fancied themselves on an untiring search for truth.  But he wrote: "It never occurred to us to stop doing the things that contradicted our search for truth or that a connection mightContinue reading "Are you honest about your motives?"

Among the prayers that I try and pray each morning is this one: Almighty and eternal God, so draw my heart to you, so guide my mind, so fill my imagination, and so control my will, that I may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated unto you; and then use me, as you will, and alwaysContinue reading "A prayer of Self-dedication"

With more and more people choosing to be cremated, people increasingly will get a chance to see what humans are made of -- Dust!  This morning one of the interns from the Vineyard accompanied me as I drove to a cemetery near Mansfield, Illinois, where I performed a graveside service for an 85-year-0ld woman IContinue reading "From Dust to Dust"

As you know, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created to provide greater security for the U.S. citizenry.  This week Brian Doyle, 55, a deputy press secretary for the department was charged with using a computer to seduce a child after authorities said he struck up sexual conversations with an undercover detective posing asContinue reading "The villain is from what country?"