Worship had ended, fellowship had begun. All around the church, families and singles where catching up with one another, laughing, crying, celebrating, praying, asking for prayer, smiling at one another’s kids, caring for one another and being cared for themselves, and one young man turned to me and asked first a question about the Christian … More Other People’s Questions : #1
Three thoughts on a Sunday evening. I seem to have lost some focus on posting. I haven’t been posting new material frequently enough. I need more discipline. So, today, I decided to start a new “periodic and continuing” series of posts titled, “Other People’s Questions”. The impetus for the series is some of the smart … More Other People’s Questions
We are still traveling in West Virginia and I have little time to write, but here is a brief meditation and prayer based on a portion of Psalm 18. The Lord Praised for Giving Deliverance. Read Psalm 18 (esp. 1-3, and 25-29) An Offering for The Poetry Project Our Stronghold in the Darkness O LORD, my … More Psalm 18 Light Piercing Darkness
Just watched All the Kings Men, a 1949 movie about a charismatic but corrupt Governor and the shady dealings and the strong-armed tactics used to get his way. A populist politician who got things done but stepped on anyone who got in his way. First impression, beyond disgust, was it looked like a playbook for … More Sin, Repentance and Jesus
[Updated on June 6, 2023] The other day I was asked if I wanted to be called “reverend”. “No!” was my quick and nearly four decade old answer. I want no part of “honorific” titles. I am, and many of my compatriots in ministry feel totally unworthy of honor. We are servants of a King … More Working with Hurting Pastors
I just finished a long time writing project (The Ultimate Book of Names) and I am beginning the ground work on a long term dream, the writing of a historical novel based on an anonymous woman in Gospel of Luke. (I think she might not be anonymous after all!). Part of my research for the … More New Projects are Afoot
Read Psalm 28 A Prayer for Help, and Praise for Its Answer. The terms, metaphors and names of God in the 28th Psalm: LORD (vs. 1, 5, 6), YHWH My Rock (vs. 1), the LORD is my strength (vs. 7), the LORD is their strength (vs. 8) (or “… His people’s strength”) … More The Strength of the Weak
Finally! The new book, in process for 40 years, now cataloged, revised, refined, and expanded; every reference checked and rechecked and rechecked again over the last two years of covid; literally thousands of hours of work invested—it’s DONE! I have great hopes that this book will be a powerful stimulus to faith and holiness among … More The New Book Has Been Published!
I heard a horror story yesterday. A large mega-church “hired” ten interns. One day before they were to finish their internships, they were all fired and none were given good recommendations. None. I said, “hired” in quotes because they were paid “slave wages” and worked long hours. At another church, apparently a mega-church with a … More A Pastoral Horror Story
A couple of Mondays ago, I had the privilege of having a series of conversations with two pastors during a four and half hour walk around a golf course. We were all participating in a Young Life fund-raising event which doubled as a men’s ministry outing for a number of churches in the Columbia, SC … More Church Failure: Most Churches Don’t Understand Discipleship
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