One of my saddest memories took place in a church. I grew up in the Catholic church. When I was a little kid, my parents divorced. And, depending on whose house I was in on the weekends, that's the parent who took me to Sunday mass. When I was old enough to partake of Holy … Continue reading Painful memory of a church’s snub
Ignoring God: How’s that working for you?
When we look back on our lives, we can often see God's hand at work. In hindsight, I can see him at every crossroad. Especially those life-changing moments when (while it was happening) I was just so sure he was nowhere to be found. But he was there, and he helped. When you look back, … Continue reading Ignoring God: How’s that working for you?
Don’t reduce God to a mix tape
Do you remember mix tapes? Today, we call them playlists. When I was in high school in the 1990s, I was pretty good at making the perfect mix tape for any occasion. I probably made at least a hundred of those things. I'd make one for every road trip, every friend, every girlfriend, every summer … Continue reading Don’t reduce God to a mix tape
Expressing the ‘inexpressible’
The Apostle Peter writes: Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. People see our joy when we … Continue reading Expressing the ‘inexpressible’
Be joyful always? Yeah, right.
Are you thankful for right now? Right this moment, can you look at your circumstance and be thankful? For some, your answer is "Sure thing!" For others, you're saying, "Thankful? For this?" In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul writes: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ … Continue reading Be joyful always? Yeah, right.
6 steps to meet needs and minister to others
Here are 6 steps Peter and John take to minister to a crippled beggar and ultimately change his life. Now THIS is church marketing!