I doubt many folks think of God when they think of basketball. I'm sure a multitude of prayers have been lifted up from courts and stands across the nation with the desperate hope of a buzzer-beating shot. But on the daily, not so much. I certainly didn't relate the two until a couple of months ago. I was in … Continue reading Basketball and God
Category: Faith Reflections
People Over Projects
There is a tremendous pressure for us to produce, to be busy working for the kingdom – at the sacrifice of relationships – not only with others but most importantly with God.
A Prayer for Peace Within
Oh God, gather me now to be with you as you are with me. Soothe my tiredness; quiet my fretfulness; curb my aimlessness; relieve my complusiveness; let me be easy for a moment. O Lord, release me from the fears and guilts which grip me so tightly; from the expectations and opinions which I so tightly grip, that … Continue reading A Prayer for Peace Within
Proper Posture Matters
The following is the text from my sermon on June 12, 2016 at FBC JC. The lectionary text was Psalm 5. You can also listen to the audio file here. Sit up straight. Shoulders back. Stop slouching. Both feet on the floor. Some of you just heard your mother’s voice and, without thinking, adjusted your … Continue reading Proper Posture Matters
Whatever This Day May Bring
Early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray and to concentrate my thoughts on you: I cannot do this alone. In me there is darkness, but with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; … Continue reading Whatever This Day May Bring
A Love that Never Quits
We've got some messed up ideas about God. That God is a mean dictator or a strict parent who wants us to sit up straight and not make a mess or have any fun. That God is moody and impossible to please. The God Jesus taught us about is completely opposite. God is the determined … Continue reading A Love that Never Quits
Wake Up, Sleeper
I read a story about a disciple who asked his master whether there was anything he could do to make himself grow spiritually. The master answered: “As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning.” Disconcerted, the disciple asked what then was the use of the spiritual exercises the master had … Continue reading Wake Up, Sleeper
From Fear to Freedom
Because I am paying attention to the idea of freedom and the bondage of fear, I have been more aware this year just how much our culture is in bondage to fear and anxiety. Our conversations, our social media postings, our news cycles, and our economic and political rhetoric repeatedly come from a posture of fear.
True Royals Fan
Throughout the series, there have been a few jabs about "true Royals fans" versus bandwagon folks. What is the Royal thing to do?
A Prayer for a New School Year
Blessed are You, O God, our Creator. We thank you for the energy and the spirit that you renewed in us through the summer months. We thank you for the time to enjoy our family and friends and to savor what is important in our lives. Today is a new day and we come before … Continue reading A Prayer for a New School Year
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