Solitude has many benefits, spiritually and generally. But it can also have negative effects. Thomas Jefferson knew the downsides of solitude first hand. After an extended season of retreat at Monticello, Jefferson wrote: "I am convinced our own happiness requires that we should continue to mix with the world, and to keep pace with it…. I can speak from experience on … [Read more...] about Jefferson on the Dangers of Solitude
Finding the Grace, Praying the Gratitude
Each day is layered with grace upon grace. But in the rush and grumbles of life we may not notice these layers. Tyler Staton provides one possible antidote to our oblivion. Staton relays a helpful prayer practice to reveal these layers of grace and to produce gratitude. The practice is called dayenu (die-EE-new) prayer. Dayenu is a Hebrew word that means something … [Read more...] about Finding the Grace, Praying the Gratitude
Giant Problem
In the story of 1 Samuel 17, we meet a giant problem. And it has a name: Goliath. The man was huge. The English Standard Version says his height was "six cubits and a span," which means he was over nine feet tall. His armor weighed five thousand shekels, which is 125 pounds, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels, which is 15 pounds. The weight of his gear … [Read more...] about Giant Problem
Forever Promise
[Sermon Notes] 5 May 2024 Forever Promise | 2 Samuel 7:1-17 Introduction What is the power of a promise? Allow me to read you an excerpt from a wedding sermon delivered to a couple standing at the altar: “Getting married is making a promise. What is a promise? It is a forward-facing commitment. And that means today is not so much about the past. The past has led … [Read more...] about Forever Promise
Weakness Upon Weakness
Turns outreceiving “grace upon grace”often looks likereceiving weaknessupon weakness.If God’s power ismade perfect in weakness,and this power-through-weaknesscomes with his sufficient grace,then I guess it makes sense:weakness gestates, mediatesgrace.Welcome weakness. … [Read more...] about Weakness Upon Weakness