Living Without Fear in an Age of Terror

1 09 2011
Ressurection of Jairus' daughter

Image via Wikipedia

I am preaching this Sunday at Resurrection West. I am looking forward to the opportunity to share good news with the congregation. I am particularly looking forward to it as I did not have the opportunity to preach while serving as Pastor of Resurrection Online.

We are in the middle of a series in which we are reflecting on the events of September 11, 2011 through the lens of the Christian faith. I am preaching on Living Without Fear in an Age of Terror and will be using verses from Psalm 27 and Mark 5. If you are interested, you can follow my progress in the days ahead at the Google Dochttp://j.mp/pTdEht It is pretty rough right now and won’t be in a finished form until some time Saturday night. If you take a look at it, will you please share your thoughts feelings or opinions? I would love to hear from you.





Scripture Monday – Zechariah 4:6

25 07 2011
Under the Branches

Image by dino_b via Flickr

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty (Zechariah 4:6, NIV).

I appreciate the reminder in this verse that it is by God’s Spirit that I am able to make an impact on the lives and world around me – not through my own strength or intellect.





The Scriptural Holiness League

19 07 2011

Last week I sent out this message on social media networks in which I am involved:

I heard back from people who had ideas for what this might look like and I want to try to take the next step. Generally I am not very interested in groups that cohort, advocate or politic within The United Methodist Church. However, I am interested in connecting with people across the connection who are seeing evidence of God‘s work in their lives and in the lives of the communities where they serve. I want to be part of a group that:

  • shares stories of life change
  • offers encouragement and accountability
  • is committed to continually growing in faith
  • seeks to spread scriptural holiness across the land
I believe that this type of network happens within an annual conference. However I believe that there could be great value in connecting people from across the denomination for these purposes. Will you please share your thoughts, feelings or opinions about the possibility of this type of coalition?




Fruitfulness: Every Day Living (3 of 4)

13 05 2011
Examples of bowls from boards

How do we help people live fruitfully in their day to day life?

Ultimately, the church is not about keeping a variety of interesting programs running and giving people something that to do that is segmented from the rest of their lives. We are about equipping people to live fruitfully in their every day life – at work, with their family, when grocery shopping or even when they show up to worship.

What are some practices that you have found that equip people for living daily the fruit of the spirit?





Ministry Expenditures ≠ Outcomes

29 10 2010

This week, I read The Importance of Outcomes by Gil Rendle and Susan Beaumont. I commend this article to you from The Alban Institute and want to share a key quote:

“The number of hours, visits, calls, reports, and so on is not a measure of what is produced in ministry but rather a measure of what is expended in ministry.”

I was confronted by the blunt reminder that doing things does not necessarily bear fruit in the kingdom of God. God calls us to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all the tasks, visits, calls and reports will follow or may not be necessary.





Resurrection Online Stewardship

1 10 2010

This is the first year that we will intentionally collect annual giving commitments from those who worship with Resurrection Online. I am excited to offer this opportunity to grow in faith for those that worship online. This also will help us plan for ministry in the year ahead. If you would like to help support Resurrection Online, please visit http://www.rezonline.org/giving. I created a series of videos to share more about this possibility.





Do I have to subscribe to all the beliefs in Christianity to be a Christian?

24 08 2010

There are some things which one needs to believe to be a Christian. They are what makes Christianity distinct from other religions, systems of belief or unbelief. One of the most basic guides to the Christian faith is the Apostles’ Creed. This is a statement of faith that helps to set the guidelines or the boundaries of what it means to be a Christian. While one may not understand the entire text, belief as outlined in the Apostles’ creed is necessary to be a Christian. The text of the creed as found in The United Methodist Hymnal:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.





Trinity as a S’more

13 05 2010

I heard this way of considering the Trinity for the first time recently from a co-worker.

If you take out the graham cracker, chocolate, or the marshmallow, you do not have a s’more. Each is integral to the reality of the s’more.

Each person of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is integral to the reality of the Trinitarian God of Christianity.

While I am more of a fan of using scripture to consider the Trinity (i.e. Mark 1:9-11, Jesus’ Baptism), I found this to be a pretty decent novel explanation.

Will you please share your response to this way of considering the Trinity?





How does God lead us individually?

13 04 2010

God leads us through the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is active speaking directly to us, through the community of faith, in friends, neighbors or people that we may not even know.

How do you find that God leads you?

I recently met with a congregant who shared some deep questions with me. I asked for permission to share them on this blog to more broadly share my response.





Changing the Atmosphere

16 09 2009

Nicole and I recently purchased a dehumidifier for our basement. After it’s arrival, I set it up, plugged it in and turned it on. When I checked on it the next day, the water reservoir was full and the atmosphere was noticeably different. I knew that it needed to be dehumidified, but was still surprised at the tangible difference that I felt when I walked back downstairs.

The dehumidifier changed the atmosphere.

I believe that one of the key roles of a pastor is creating an atmosphere in within a local church in which disciples are formed.

There are many actions that could contribute to a change in the atmosphere and one of the most significant is tending to my own spiritual formation. If my soul is not thriving, it is difficult for me to lead others in their journey of faith in a way that can be used by the Holy Spirit to produce fruit.

What are other ways that the atmosphere might be changed in a local church?








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