November 17, 2016 · 11:13 am

Live Simply: Share Enough

Sharing is one of those Pre-K lessons of life that builds a good foundation for the future.  It seems that those who learn to share early in life have a much greater chance of living from a place of contentment and thanksgiving than those who do not.  This is not suggest that learning to share is impossible later in life, its just that it may require some remedial work.

Who taught you how to share?  Was it your parents, or perhaps a grandparent? A teacher? A mentor? Your spouse? Who comes to mind when you think of someone who “shares enough”?  Continue reading →

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November 10, 2016 · 2:49 pm

Live Simply: Act Together

Those who know me well understand that I am an introvert.  This means I’m pretty good with quiet environments, working alone, taking long bike rides by myself, and not having to be the life of the party.  I’m good with all of that.  I’m OK in my own skin (so don’t feel sorry for me – it’s how I roll!)

However, I live a very public and people oriented life.  The life of pastoral ministry includes leading groups of people – in worship, in study, in prayer, in group work, and in mission. So I’ve learned to function as an introvert in what many perceive to be an extrovert role. I’ve come to understand when I need to push myself beyond isolation to take part in the group. And I’ve come to appreciate our need to act together as the body of Christ and people of God. Continue reading →

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November 7, 2016 · 7:06 am

Fly the “W” . . . we all win!

Thank God for the Chicago Cubs!  That’s right, over the last few weeks that is exactly what I have been doing – giving thanks for a baseball team.  I’m guessing that you are somewhat familiar with the Cubs’ story this year, which culminated in a dramatic game seven, extra-inning World Series championship.  Even the least observant baseball or sports fan would have to have taken note of last week’s news as it’s been widely celebrated that the Cubs broke a 108 year drought when it comes to championships.

It’s one of those feel-good stories that come along every so often, and this one seems to have hit just when we needed it.  Mired in the muck of an ugly and awful election our nation benefitted from a national distraction – which is just what the Cubs and Cleveland Indians gave us last week.  So, band wagon fan, or life long-suffering loyalist to the north-siders; we all won last week when the Cubbies finally brought home the hardware.  Seems like the many companion stories to their success bear witness to this.  So, I thought I’d add my story. Continue reading →

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November 3, 2016 · 11:31 am

Live Simply: Face the Truth

“Crisis creates chaos that calls for clarity.”  This is a phrase that came to me as I’ve been preparing for a second message in the “Live Simply” series – “Live Simply: Face the Truth”  – we are sharing at FBC Columbus, IN.

Consider how often you’ve seen this to be true, either in your own life or the life of someone you love:  When faced with a crisis, whether of our own making or by an unfortunate fate, we often react by taking steps to simplify our living.  Perhaps a grave health diagnosis is received, causing us to simplify life to its very basics: a focus on our physical health, family, friends and faith.  Or, maybe the crisis is more of a relational nature – a marriage that fails or the unexpected loss of a job.  Again, in those instances, we commonly react by drawing back into a more simple expression of living. Crisis creates chaos that calls for clarity.

In Mark 4:35-41 we find Jesus sleeping in the back of the boat after keeping a grueling schedule surrounded by multitudes of needy people. Continue reading →

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October 27, 2016 · 2:38 pm

Live Simply: Follow Jesus

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Jesus lived a simple life – but that did not make him a simple person. He was an itinerant preacher who traveled from village to village.  So far as we know he had no home that he owned.  He was not married.  He had no children.  He probably had little in the way of clothing or personal effects.  He certainly wasn’t paying on a student loan, mortgage or consumer debt.

His words and teachings reflect the simplicity of Jesus’ life:

  • Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. (Luke 9:58).  
  • Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. (Matthew 6:19)
  • Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink . . . . Look at the birds . . . consider the lilies . . . will (God) not much more clothe you?  (Matthew 6:25ff)

Continue reading →

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