Category Archives: Christian Faith

March 7, 2016 · 4:33 pm

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I live in a world of words.  Each week I spend a good portion of my time trying to find the right words – the right words for a sermon, the right words in a prayer, the right words during a hospital visit, a phone conversation or in response to a query from someone who dropped by my office.  I believe words are important.

I enjoy reading the work of those who are gifted with words.  A well written book, blog or article can capture my attention as its words carry me into thoughts and ruminations that are unexpected but welcome.  Often the written lyrics of a hymn will cause me to pause as we sing it in worship – catching the meaningful intent behind the words. In the same way a well crafted and delivered message (whether spoken or written) will always hit my ears with appreciation.  I am grateful when persons have taken the time to choose their words carefully and order them with intent and meaning.  I believe words are important. Continue reading →

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Filed under Christian Faith, Family

October 27, 2015 · 8:40 pm

Sabbath Keeping . . a Mental Health Spiritual Practice

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Yesterday I took what I named a “nearing the end of the season” bike ride out to Harrison Lake.  This is a beautiful ride in the autumn of the year – one I’ve made each of the last three years in late October or early November.  Once again I was not disappointed by the artistry of God’s paint brush.  The picture hardly does justice to the hues of yellow, orange and red that bounced off the earth’s canvass against a perfect blue sky.  I was reminded, once again, that one of my four favorite seasons is Fall!

Added to this Sabbath Monday experience (as a pastor Monday is usually my Sabbath) was the challenge and thrill of the ride. Continue reading →

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Filed under Christian Faith, Spiritual Formation

February 21, 2015 · 8:47 am

Leadership and Lent

As of this past Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) we have officially entered into the spiritual season of Lent. You may or may not come from a faith or personal tradition that observes Lent, but let me invite you to think about the season in relationship to the ways and places where you are asked to provide leadership.

Lent, a word derived from an old Anglo-Saxon term “lencten” means “spring” – a time of lengthening of days. Most of us are probably ready to see the tangible signs of spring about now as we are mired in the grip of winter.

In the church we have patterned our Lenten observances after the 40 days of temptation Jesus faced in the wilderness following his baptism. Through a period of fasting and prayer we see Jesus facing the temptations of the Evil One to live and lead in a way that is inconsistent with his identity and God’s will. Jesus manages his response to Satan through his faith, his knowledge and application of the Scriptures, and the strength he finds in communion with God. Continue reading →

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Filed under Christian Faith, Holy Days, Leadership, Uncategorized

December 30, 2014 · 10:35 am

Ringing in the New Year

The world has changed a lot since I was a kid. It’s the new year, and specifically “New Years” that makes me think of this. A family tradition of several years running in my growing up days was to attend the New Year’s Eve Watch Service at church. What’s that? It’s where you gather with folks at church to “watch” the new year come in.

Our celebrations were often filled with food, games and conversation in the church basement. I faintly remember one year when Father Time and Baby New Year made an appearance in some kind of dramatic presentation. I think this was imprinted on me as some adult relative played the part of Baby New Year, clad in nothing but a cloth diaper!

As the hands on the clock crept ever closer to midnight Continue reading →

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December 4, 2014 · 2:08 pm

Lo, Woe, Go . . . a Response of Advent

During these early days of Advent, as Thanksgiving has given way to Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, ushering in the secular season of sales and anxious economic forecasts; one is left to ponder another response. Rather than unleash the credit or debit card, joining the throngs of holiday consumers, why not recover a little of the spiritual side of the season?

This season of waiting, expecting and hoping is pregnant with promise. It draws us to the nativity story and its fascinating cast of characters. Among them we find the shepherds, the true working men of this tale. They, like the other characters, have a story to tell, and a particular angle from which to tell it. Do you remember the shepherds? These character actors are discovered in Luke 2 between verses 8 and 20. A description of their brief foray unto the Nativity stage might be summarized in the words “lo”, “woe” and “go”.

Having drawn our attention to these shepherds abiding, Luke, Continue reading →

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Filed under Christian Faith, Holy Days, Spiritual Formation