Andy Crouch (2017) on solitude, silence, and fasting: The central disciplines of the spiritual life, as taught by generations of Christian saints, have stayed the same for twenty centuries now: solitude, silence, and fasting. Each of these pushes us beyond our natural limits, and all of them give us spiritual resources for everyday life that we can't gain any other way.Very … [Read more...] about Crouch on Solitude
Glacial Goals
Big hairy audacious goals. BHAGS. This is the language of leadership literature. You should have big hairy audacious goals. But I am not so sure. Something Small Maybe God wants you to do something small this year. Invest in your neighbor. Finish that book. Improve that one skill in ministry. Focus on that family member. Tend that little plot of earth God has given you. … [Read more...] about Glacial Goals
Psalm 95.1-11
Every Church: Ministry to God Introduction We begin a new series, Every Church. In this series, we are going to look at the three ministries of every church. In this sermon, we will talk about our first ministry, our ministry to God through worship. We are meant to worship God. In the Gospel account of Luke, in the fourth chapter, we see Jesus head into the wilderness … [Read more...] about Psalm 95.1-11
Mark 10:13-16
My family loves Christmas. We enjoy the decorations. We gladly listen to the music. We drink eggnog. We look forward to being with family. And most importantly, we celebrate the arrival of our savior, Jesus. But of course, at this stage, one other part of Christmas sticks out prominently to our kiddos. Yep, the presents. Our Christmas tree sits in the far corner, … [Read more...] about Mark 10:13-16
Mark 5:21-43
In our house, there is a hidden space that I alone can see. Jess can’t see it. Caroline can’t see it. Benjamin can’t see it. Hannah can’t see it. Because only I can see it, I consider myself responsible for cleaning it, and because it is visible only to me, I often put important items, like bills or my glasses, in this hidden space. So, what is this place that only I can see? … [Read more...] about Mark 5:21-43