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"The United States calls itself one nation under God, but Americans don’t have all the same  image of the Almighty in mind."  Thus begins a page one piece by Cathy Lynn Grossman in today’s (9/12/06) USA TODAY on a new Baylor University religion survey conducted by Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion.Most fascinating to meContinueContinue reading “What is your view of God”

Last night I preached at the young adult service on I Peter 4:7-11.  Peter writes that believers should use whatever spiritual gift they have to serve others.  The word translated gift is Charisma.   That word is used 13 times in the New Testament.  Charisma comes from charis, the Greek word for grace.  The word hereContinueContinue reading “Spiritual gifts make you Charismatic!”

Why does all humankind long for justice?  Why do we thirst for spirituality?  Why do we ache for human relationships?  And why do look for beauty?  … Those are the questions N.T. Wright starts with in the opening chapters of his newest book called Simply Christian (HarperSanFrancisco, 2006).Wright hooked me early and I stayed withContinueContinue reading “Simply Christian”

I have spent the last two days in Elk Rapids, Michigan, a little town along the eastern shore of Grand Traverse Bay.  The lion’s share of each day has been spent working on my Bible memory work.I write out the passages I am memorizing long hand on 3X5 note cards.  Then I take a walkContinueContinue reading “Scripture Memory”

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.  IContinueContinue 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 inContinueContinue 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. THEContinueContinue 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 classicContinueContinue reading “Graduation advice from “The Imitation of Christ””