The idea in this periodic series is to write a poem of personal reflection for each Psalm in the Psalter. This is the offering for Psalm 116. Don’t think of any as high art. Think of these offerings as one poor man’s desire to draw nearer to Christ. New entries will generally appear on Sunday … More The Importance of Pain to Worship
6 I am weary with my sighing; . Every night I make my bed swim, . I dissolve my couch with my tears. 7 My eye has wasted away with grief; . It has become old because of all my adversaries. (Psalm 6, NASB) No, David didn’t weep … More I Am Weary with My Weeping
Just found a letter to my prayer team at New Song Church from January of 1998. It is a great stroll down memory lane but also a great testimony to the greatness and power of God. Mountain Ridge Community Church in Redmond, Washington, one of our church plants had just had their first service (We … More A Church Planting Church’s History
I love missionary stories. Full stop. I love them. God delights to use the broken to change the world.
This is a story I read years and years ago. And in a conversation last night after our home-group it came up in a conversation about the triviality of some of the things that we spend our lives on. I couldn’t help but think that it might be useful to offer to you, the nearly … More A Story of Tragedy and Waste
Confession: An annual pleasure: Watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Christmas time. This year, we didn’t get to watch the film until after Christmas. But it was still a joy. It goes beyond the fact that Jimmy Stewart was my favorite actor from the growing-up-years of my life. And it goes beyond the encouraging message(s) of the film: … More Breaking the Ice with Your New Neighbor
The Mission Field at Our Door The nations have come to us. Ethnic diversity in our communities is a reality. As we step out the front door of our homes or apartments, the world, from a cultural and ethnic perspective, is at our doorsteps. Ministry here is not like ministry in a mono-cultural nation like … More Part 8: Resources for Multi-ethnic Ministry
No regrets 33 years ago today, I married my West Virginia Mountaineer and have never had a regret. How God brought us together, raised 400 miles from one another, went to College 350 miles from one another, spent our early 20’s 1,500 miles from one another, and finally bringing us together in a state (Colorado) where … More 33 Years of Joy
Over 40 years ago a read little 75-page book that powerfully influenced my life. Yesterday I started to reread it. Some of the highlights are barely noticeable. The underlines and side notes are there to help me and guide me back to a former time. And the words are there. Words that were written in … More What if Revival Has Nothing to Do with Big Meetings and Crowds of People?
Friday is for Heart Songs Reading with the Pastor Luke 21 and Psalm 103 (Click on the sound file to the right of this post just above the search box.) Today’s reading is 38 verses in Luke but it is the first four verses that have captured me. See if they don’t do the same for … More The Widow’s Large Gift
