As we push into 2006, I will continue to link daily, if possible, to Sacred Space and The Daily Office, and I encourage you to do so as well.  We must make time to listen for the Lord's voice.  As I get older, I am convinced that we must be more quiet and reflective inContinue reading "Doing Well in 2006…"

When I started seeing pastors name Jim Collins' Good to Great as a book that influenced their ministry, I discounted what they said.  After all, Collins' book looks at how good companies become great.  How could business principles help the church?Well, I read Good to Great over Christmas break, and I must confess:  "It's reallyContinue reading "Greatness is not a business principle"

My Christmas sermon from Matthew chapter one is entitled: "The genealogy of Jesus -- Geesh, would you look at the people God is calling now?"  Like the picture of the genealogy on the left shows, genealogies are not simple.  The genealogy in Matthew begins by saying that Abraham was the father of Isaac.  Abraham wasContinue reading "Just look at who Jesus is calling during Advent"

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back -- whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone:  'Watch!'" MarkContinue reading "Stay awake during the holidays"

I enjoy asking people what kinds of things they look forward to during the holidays.  "We buy lots of presents," one friend told me.  "I eat way too much," said another.  One honest friend said, "December is the the loneliest month of the year for me.  So many expectations and I'm mostly an emotionally confusedContinue reading "How will you spend the holidays?"

Prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus... Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when heContinue reading "Praying during Advent"

"At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed:  "Blessed are you among women,Continue reading "The First person to Greet Jesus"

Jeremiah 17:9 is absolutely true:  "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked.  Who really knows how bad it is?"  That's true of my heart and your heart.  Well, every heart.My actual human heart has occasionally raced and fluttered for 30 years.  Sometimes is makes me lightheaded.  Others times it renders me weak, andContinue reading "The evil heart and other thoughts about my Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation"