Follow Jesus. Lead the church. Change the world.
Today, we begin a new series: "The Great Adventure." Following Jesus Christ is indeed an adventure! And the great adventure is all about Jesus! I agree with Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing at all.” So let’s get started. Read Luke 9.57-62. Talk is cheap!While Jesus was on a … Read more
The Three Visitors: Genesis 18.1-15Genesis 18 is a story of hospitality, biblical hospitality. Hospitality is:Offered to strangersVerse one reveals to the reader what Abraham does not know, that the visitors are the LORD, Yahweh. It is told for the readers benefit. As for the hospitality offered, it is offered to strangers who are treated as … Read more
John 3.1-21 The Flower called Nicodemus What kind of flower is pictured on the cover of the bulletin? It opens only at night (it closes in the daytime) and just for a few short weeks around the start of summer. The evening primrose, nicknamed the Nicodemus flower. The Person of Nicodemus The story of Nicodemus … Read more
Scripture gives us a few "snapshots" of Daniel’s life. We learn, that as a young man, Daniel was taken prisoner by the Babylonian army when Jerusalem was captured. He remained faithful to God even when it meant risking his life. We discover that already in the first snapshot we have of Daniel: “But Daniel made … Read more
This month I begin my sixth year with you. Hard to believe isn’t it? It is a good time to do some reflection: to look back, to look forward. It is a good time to remember my call and how that affects us as the body. My very first sermon the first of July, 2001, … Read more
“You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge one yourself.” (James A. Froude) Joseph was passionate about life.We encounter Joseph as a young, somewhat cocky, 17 year-old kid who has great dreams. And he loves to tell others about his dreams. He’s passionate about life. But that passion gets Joseph in … Read more
I’m writing this final reflection on Friday (and the week) on Saturday afternoon. Yesterday was a very long day; we arrived home last night around 11:00 pm, slightly more than 9 hours after leaving Asbury. Class concluded shortly after noon yesterday, after which Joleen and I went to Subway for lunch with Dr. West to … Read more
Today was the last full day of class. We talked more practically and more specifically about mentoring, which has been a real emphasis of the entire class, actually. I have had a candidacy mentor since 2000 for which I am grateful. And over the next course of the next few months, Joleen and I hope … Read more
Today was another good day of class. Each day, a different student leads devotion at the beginning of the day, and at the end of the day, another student offers a reflection on the day and a closing prayer. Today, I was the "reflector." I asked the question, "What are you taking with you today … Read more
We’ve now completed two days. Normally, classes are from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm with 1.5 hours for lunch with a 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon. This class has followed a different schedule — 8:30 am until 5:00 pm with only 1 hour for lunch and shorter than 15 minute breaks in the … Read more