Forgiving Father, Your Son came as the gentle King of Glory. He rode a donkey not a stallion. He humbled and sacrificed himself in order to bring us peace with You. We confess our own lack of humility. Forgive us for the lack of gentleness in our lives. Our harsh words have stirred up strife … Continue reading Confession of Sin – Palm Sunday
The Confessions of a Pastor
Holy Father, all of us serve at Your bidding as undershepherds of the Great Shepherd of the sheep – our Lord Jesus Christ. First of all, we ask Your forgiveness for the times that we have taken for granted the awesome privilege we have to serve as a divinely-appointed shepherd to watch over Your sheep. … Continue reading The Confessions of a Pastor
Thielicke, Barth, and Cyprian – On the Lord’s Prayer
In the closing months of WWII, Helmut Thielicke preached on the Lord’s Prayer. He spoke words that ring true for us today: “In these fearful, fateful weeks many people appear to have become alienated from their faith in God: They begin to ask how He can ‘permit’ such things to happen. It would be better, … Continue reading Thielicke, Barth, and Cyprian – On the Lord’s Prayer
Worshipping with Handicapped Hearts
Lord,free us from our handicapped hearts. May we worship You in such a way that our consciences are quickened by Your holiness. Our minds feed upon Your truth. Our imaginations are purged by Your beauty. Our hearts are opened to receive Your love. Our wills are devoted resolutely to Your purpose. Gather all of this … Continue reading Worshipping with Handicapped Hearts
Three Priorities During A Season of Change
What are we to focus on during times of organizational change? Here are three priorities for leaders during a season of significant change in your church's life: a. Hospitality: Express biblical love for strangers. This is the literal definition of hospitality in the original New Testament. We are called to welcome and listen to those who … Continue reading Three Priorities During A Season of Change
What’s Your Destiny?
Isaiah 40:5 “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” We are all on a quest to find and fulfill our destiny. The soul-searching question of Forrest Gump has challenged every thinking human being: “What’s my destiny, Momma?” When … Continue reading What’s Your Destiny?
Compassion at Christmas Time – A Word from Henri Nouwen
“Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to a place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by … Continue reading Compassion at Christmas Time – A Word from Henri Nouwen
On This Matter of Stewardship
Well, it’s that time of year again when we address the subject of stewardship. Yes, we unashamedly talk about money, but stewardship is much more than just how you save, spend, and give money. It is more about a lifestyle and a mentality. When it comes to thinking about all we possess, most of us … Continue reading On This Matter of Stewardship
In Times of Spiritual Dryness
All of us go through times of spiritual drought and dryness. When I was a college student, I encountered this for the first time and it concerned me greatly. I was helped by reading a little book called The Green Letters by Miles Stanford. The title has been changed now to Principles of Spiritual Growth. … Continue reading In Times of Spiritual Dryness
When You Are Misunderstood
It is the characteristic of our Adamic residue to find it difficult to believe in the nobility of others. Joseph's brothers measured Joseph by themselves. In our suspicions of other people we often reveal ourselves and our own hearts. There is scarcely anything more trying and searching in life than the experience of being misunderstood, … Continue reading When You Are Misunderstood
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