I would claim that I’m not one for the more ‘spiritual’ spiritual practices–like yoga, contemplative prayer, holy stretching, etc. I can remember snickering and scoffing at such practices in college and as a younger adult. Inevitably, when I found myself in a context where we were invited to sit straight… Continue reading
I have found that often when I am preparing a sermon, I end up convicted by the very thoughts I am forming into a sermon. I was not expecting to preach on Christmas Eve, but at the last minute I was given the notes of a sermon the pastor was… Continue reading
“This passion empties one of self. One does not “self-empty” by focusing upon oneself. One is emptied of self to the degree one is overcome by the needs, pain, hopes and desires of others. When concern for others takes one utterly beyond self-interest, beyond obsession with achievements and self-obsessing guilt… Continue reading
I’ve discovered a new park from which to watch the sun rise. I stop at the Starbucks across the street and get a refill of the Veranda Blend coffee, and then head over to the parking lot of the park. I like this park because there are actually picnic tables… Continue reading
Today’s word was “salvation.” In the sense, I think, of who is it that needs salvation? We talked a lot about the role of Sunday morning worship in either serving the believers, or equipping them to go out to the rest of the week. I just found that the way… Continue reading
Today’s word was ‘sacrifice,’ and our conversation over breakfast circulated again around Phil. 2. My reflection is that acts of sacrifice are important…adopting kids, selling everything to move overseas, living on one income to spend more time volunteering, etc. yes…perhaps we should do that more often as Christians. But what… Continue reading
I slept like a rock. The rain meant a cooler evening, and the constant humming of the fan drowned out noises. The house doesn’t have air conditioning or hot water. A water pump has to be turned on to get running water. There’s no internet service. If it was on… Continue reading
It was a good thing I set my alarm…and even better that I packed last night. I was just finishing an email that needed to go out before I left when my ride knocked on my door. Ready or not…time to go.
Being a missionary kid comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Advantages include an ability to walk between worlds and validate people’s perspectives and diversity. Advantages include a broader view of the world and a certain amount of self-sufficiency that contributes to success and independence. Advantages include an… Continue reading
It’s about time to try to summarize my trip to South Sudan using a few key pictures of some favorite moments. For a sermon I preached recently with more details about the processing of that trip, go here for the audio version or here for the manuscript.