Tag: Ministry

Do we still think so?

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I don’t think I had ever paid attention to this hymn before, When the Church of Jesus. You know, it’s in the back of the hymnal–one of those newer ones.  Actually, it’s under the heading of “Called to God’s Mission.” If you pay attention, you’ll see what a convicting truth that is. When the Church of Jesus Shuts its outer door, Lest the roar of traffic Drown the voice of prayer: May our prayers, Lord,…..

Good sexual ethics start with this

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Leave it to me to wait until the absolute latest to participate in a mandatory clergy sexual ethics training.  It wouldn’t have mattered what the training would have been; I still probably would have been one of the last ones.  At least there were about 20 others in my boat. I don’t know what you think a training about clergy sexual ethics includes, but I’ve been to a few and I was sure I knew……

A different spirit

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Churches are dying. The Christian faith is dying. At least that’s what the reports indicate.  It reminds me of the reports the “spies” came back with when they first explored the land God had promised the Israelites.  In the book of Numbers, a group goes to discover this new land.  Oh, it’s nice alright, but it’s full of giant, dangerous people.  We’ll never be able to go there!  The group said that and I’m sure…..

Someone spit in my face!

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Well, not exactly, and it’s actually a great family story.  I talk about it in 2018’s first sermon: The Image of God Within Us.

++If you’re reading by email or news reader, click here to listen.++

Seeing each other as the image of God is the key.

Otherwise:

  • I’m just another annoying loud mouth.
  • You’re just giving another dollar to some guy on the corner.
  • Chances are they will always be your enemy.
  • You’ll never move toward forgiveness (for yourself or someone else).
  • Everyone else will always be the problem.

You get it, right?  It may take some digging.  You might find it to be one of the most difficult things to do.  But the more committed we are to seeing ourselves and each other as an image of God, the more peace we’ll experience.

Stay blessed…john

 

The scariest costume ever

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My idea for the scariest Halloween costume came to me this morning. Yes, on Halloween day. Have I ever told you I’m a procrastinator? It won’t cost you much money. You’ll be dressed in no time. In fact, where whatever you want. Dress up. Dress down. Wear your work clothes. Dress like a minion (There’s a joke in there somewhere). It doesn’t matter. Next, crab a pile of index cards. Write the word “DARN” on…..