Tag: church
There’s No Such Thing As A Great Idea…
When I was in high school, a friend of mine was gifted a fully-restored 1965 Mustang GT coupe as his first car. It was beatiful. Bright red. Bullit rims. Working ORIGINAL A/C. From the moment I rode it in, I wanted one. It took many years, but in 2000 I purchased my very own (and… Read More ›
A Season of Listening…
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (James 1:19) For the better part of the past 7-8 months, I have recognized the value of silence. This has been a hard lesson, because I love to talk. I love to voice my… Read More ›
How to Go Back to Church – Part 2
After writing part 1 of “How to Go Back to Church” (you can read that here), I was eager to write part 2. I had the post ready to publish, then life happened. I found myself in not one, but two discussions with people who are just done with the whole church thing. “I’ve changed. I no… Read More ›
How to Go Back to Church – part 1
So, it’s happened. Whatever IT is, you have dropped out. Why? You have your reasons. And while some people may simply be habitual quitters, maybe you are not. You have had something go wrong in the ONE place where it should not: God’s house. The “safe,” “welcoming, “accepting (no matter who you are)” place turned… Read More ›
Why I Still Love the Church
Years ago, I ordered a Beef n’ Cheddar sandwich from Arby’s. If I go to Arby’s, this was what I get. It is about the only thing I ever eat there. Roast beef, melted cheddar, onion roll, Arby’s sauce, and a little horseradish sauce thrown in for good measure. But on this particular occasion, things… Read More ›
Breaking the Box
I have learned to hate the phrase “think outside the box.” It’s a great phrase, though. In fact, it’s the “go-to” expression of many in church leadership. I’ve heard it uttered at church conferences. I’ve heard it uttered in creative team meetings. It’s a real catchphrase among those trying to plant churches. I’ve probably… Read More ›
Vision Check
When I was 18, I discovered I did not have good eyesight. I had not known that before. Sure, I strained to see the blackboard if I was in the back of a classroom. But who didn’t? (or so I assumed). I got by just fine. I enjoyed spectacular views. I appreciated the beauty of… Read More ›
What are you waiting for?
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for… Read More ›
When good things go bad…
My dad once had the misfortune of finding a Hostess Ding Dong buried in the pantry when he was looking for something to snack on. He unwrapped it, took a big bite, and – instead of chocolaty, creamy goodness (if you can say such a thing about a Hostess Ding Dong) – he experienced a… Read More ›
Easter Service?
As a kid, I remember Easter being one of the two Sundays a year that my dad went to church. In fact, looking around the sanctuary, I probably was not the only kid who appreciated this occurrence involving their own fathers. Year after year, the Easter service filled up with face after face of people I… Read More ›
unORDINARY 