I grew up in a home and in a church where, generally speaking, conflict was kept at bay. "Let it go," was one of the phrases I often heard. "Speak the truth in love" was not something I heard very often. Because if you speak the truth someone might not like you and being likedContinue reading "Jesus never was afraid of conflict … It seemed to follow Him!"
Moving into the neighborhood
Eugene Peterson's The Message clearly depicts the incarnation with this rending in the first chapter of John.John 1:14The Message (MSG)14 The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.For the last five-and-a-halfContinue reading "Moving into the neighborhood"
Preaching in Mazatlan, Mexico
Yesterday afternoon (Sunday, January 13) I preached at the Vineyard church service in the Dona Chonita neighborhood of Mazatlan, Mexico, where great friends Ellen and Kyle Benefield are church-planting pastors. Kyle Benefield was my translator.I told the flock that God's view of them is the same as that of his own son Jesus about whomContinue reading "Preaching in Mazatlan, Mexico"
Intentionality when trying to hear God’s voice…
Recently the brilliant, insightful Greg Boyd did four short video blogs (about 5 min. each) on discovering and hearing God's voice. I thought all four were outstanding. I found myself responding to each one, "Absolutely right." I really like how Boyd says in the first installment that our true character, namelyContinue reading "Intentionality when trying to hear God’s voice…"
Mexico Mercy with Kyle and Ellen Benefield
I am on my 6th trip to Mazatlan, Mexico, and my fourth trip to stay with Kyle and Ellen Benefield in the Dona Chonita neighborhood, where they are planting a Vineyard Church. They call their ministry ... Mexico Mercy. They have been in Mazatlan 5 1/2 years. They interned at the Vineyard Church in Urbana,Continue reading "Mexico Mercy with Kyle and Ellen Benefield"
Are you weak or are you strong?
How would Paul’s perspective change how we view God, the world, and ourselves?Romans 8:26a. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” 1 Corinthians 1:27b. “God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10. “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses. . . . For whenContinue reading "Are you weak or are you strong?"
The world should taste our joy in the midst of sorrow
[This religion column appears in section B-3 of today's (1/06/13) Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette. Currently, the paper does not include their local columnists pieces on their website. With their permission, here it is.]-----I admire people in the ministry who hang in there and finish well. Few have done better than John Piper, 66, at Bethlehem Baptist ChurchContinue reading "The world should taste our joy in the midst of sorrow"
Want a shot at living a truly changed life?
I think the 12 steps used in Alcoholics Anonymous and other groups are simply brilliant. And I love the way pastor Ken Wilson at the Ann Arbor, MI, Vineyard Church has written and preached about them, putting them into the context of being a Jesus follower ...http://annarborvineyard.org/about/93If you read and reflect on what Wilson writes aboutContinue reading "Want a shot at living a truly changed life?"
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