At our student ministry's recent fall retreat, one simple moment stands out to me. It was Saturday night, following the final session. We had planned a time of outdoor worship on the shore of the lake under the night sky. We were scrambling to … [Read more...] about God Is Enough
Archives for October 2012
The Indirect Claims of Jesus
We do a good job of distancing ourselves from Jesus. We have a number of ways to keep him at arm's length. We call him a great leader, a sage, a good man, but all of these designations make Jesus avoidable, just another character in … [Read more...] about The Indirect Claims of Jesus
Three Simple Ways to Prepare for a Retreat
Our student ministry leaves for our annual Fall Retreat this week. I look forward to this weekend every year. It is a weekend filled with fun and community, creation and spiritual renewal. But not everything that happens IN this weekend happens ON … [Read more...] about Three Simple Ways to Prepare for a Retreat
Big Church, Little Church
I've had a question in my head lately. What is the difference between a healthy large church and a healthy small church? If all things were relatively equal, what would be the difference? Do we lose anything or gain anything as we move from one … [Read more...] about Big Church, Little Church
Soul Summons
The soul must be summoned. The soul must be sought; it must be stalked. The Psalmists time and again call forth the soul, wakening it, stirring it, addressing it. "Why are you cast down, O my soul..." (Psalm 42:5)"Why are you cast down, O my … [Read more...] about Soul Summons
The Gift of Disappointment
Sometimes God uses disappointment to grant us freedom. Disappointment with a relationship, disappointment with an institution, disappointment with a product...each disappointment has a redemptive purpose. Disappointment wakes us.Disappointment … [Read more...] about The Gift of Disappointment