Being Christian Without Losing Your Mind
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. — Matthew 6:12 (Christian Standard Bible) “Trespasses” are so ingrained in me that I simply gag trying to pray “debts” and “debtors” in the Lord’s Prayer. Yet, “debts” is the literal meaning of the biblical term. It’s something that’s owed another person that’s …
He told another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and planted in his field. It’s the smallest of all seeds. But when it’s grown, it’s the largest of all vegetable plants. It becomes a tree so that the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches.” …
A little child will lead them. — Isaiah 11:6b Yesterday in church, I sat behind a young family. The children, a brother and sister, were intently drawing pictures throughout the service. One of their pieces you see above, and another you’ll find below. It struck me that these children were worshipping just as devoutly as their parents or any …
He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature.” — Mark 16:15 It’s interesting how we sometimes think Jesus’ last command to his disciples was, “Go into the whole world and start churches.” He was much smarter than that. He knew that if he had said that, then his followers would have …
Your Father knows what you need before you ask. — Matthew 6:8 It’s simplistic to say that prayer is more than just asking God for something. Yet, especially in times of stress, our prayer life resets to a list of urgent requests. Father Richard Rohr, in one of his daily devotions, described what we can learn from …
The Lord is good to everyone and everything; God’s compassion extends to all his handiwork! All that you have made gives thanks to you, Lord; all your faithful ones bless you! — Psalm 145:9-10 One of the most endearing memories I have of our daughter Emma is when she was around four years old. For …
We love because God first loved us. — 1 John 4:19 Churches should have an identity/mission statement. It should be something that reminds members of who they are as a congregation and what they should be focusing on. Here’s one: “Love Christ deeply, worship Christ passionately, serve Christ boldly.” But perhaps, for individual Christians, the simpler the better. Like …
This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad today. — Psalm 118:24 One of the biggest blessings from being a pastor is being privileged to have known–and learned from–some amazing people. One of those blessings was a saint I called “Grandma Tillie.” That’s her in the above picture and, as you can tell by my red-not-gray …
You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. — Psalm 139:13 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; she is created with the faithful in the womb. — Sirach 1:14 Awe and humility are the only proper response to nature shows. I’m absolutely …
When they came up out of the water, the Lord’s Spirit suddenly took Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Philip found himself in Azotus. — Acts 8:39-40 A side effect of getting older is losing control–of your body, your mind, your plans, your finances, your driving…well, you get the …