If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. … More C. S. Lewis, Coronavirus and the Atomic Bomb
The very name Epiphany carries a wonderful abundance of connotations: revelation and realization and disclosure and manifestation, all with an element of surprise – a illumination of insight in which everything is transformed. … More Are You Ready for Epiphany?
Sometimes we need the advice of a wise and trusted counselor, sometimes the comforting arms of a loving father, sometimes the stability from a benevolent leader and sometimes we need the protection of a strong champion. This week we will look at the title “Mighty God”. … More Christ Our Champion (Mike Fox)
We are focusing on Christ as Wonderful Counselor this week. God’s plan for passing on his wisdom and guidance to others was to give His Spirit of Wisdom and insight to people who in turn share this wisdom with others. Who are the wise guides you turn to daily for insight and truth to live … More Selfie Spirituality
Today most names are chosen based on a parent’s preference or popularity. But in the ancient world, a person’s name was believed to be the essence of their identity. … More Your True Name (Skye Jethani)
As a Type Five on the Enneagram, I have found myself both amazed by the uncanny accuracy and profound insights of this system, while harboring my own skepticism about its fuzzy origins and claim that every person fits into one of nine categories. I’ve been a true Five, investigating it at a fast and furious pace, devouring several … More A Skeptics Journey with the Enneagram
When I began a doctoral degree in New Testament context a couple years ago, I never would have guessed my thesis topic would end up focusing on the role of “Letter Writing” in spiritual formation. Well, here I am reading all kinds of ancient, medieval and contemporary letter correspondences, and really loving it! Along the way … More Letters to a Godson
by Skye Jethani Jean Vanier, the founder of the L’Arche communities who died just a few weeks ago, often used a simple metaphor to explain his ministry with the mentally handicapped. With his hands cupped he would say, “Suppose I have a wounded bird in my hands. What would happen if I closed my hands … More The Space for Growth (Skye Jethani)
LECTIONARY REFLECTION | LUKE 8:26-39 In Western society the scientific method has been the standard for separating fact from fiction, truth from lie since the 1500s. For the last 500 years, anything that can’t be demonstrated in a controlled, repeatable experiment must not be true. Religion, faith, and belief in an unseen, spiritual world has been … More Fighting Demons (Mike Fox)
by Skye Jethani The use of pre-written prayers carries many benefits, as we’ve been exploring over the last few days. They guide our often wandering minds to focus on God. They instruct us to think rightly about our Lord with a depth we often lack. They can also remind us that communion with God is … More Consumer Faith & Magic Spells (Skye Jethani)
This piece by Shauna goes along with my Easter message this past Sunday. Thanks for sharing this, Keri. -JB Holy Saturday. We live next to the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. We walk by it dozens of times a day, and those doors are always, always open—no matter how early I’m leaving for a flight, … More Holy Saturday (Shauna Niequist)
“I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross. The only God I believe in is the one Nietzsche ridiculed as “God on the Cross.” In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples and stood … More He Suffered For Us (by John Stott)
Why did Peter refuse to let Jesus wash his feet? One possibility is that Peter was embarrassed for Jesus. He didn’t want to see his rabbi, his master, take such a humiliating role. Maybe he was trying to protect Jesus from his own undignified behavior. That is one possibility, but I don’t think it’s the … More Jesus’ Humiliation & Ours (Skye Jethani)
Last night a handful for MainStreeters gathered on Ash Wednesday to watch the movie “Paul, Apostle of Christ.” We all came away amazed at what it cost to be a Christian in first century Rome — that is, often your very life! Better than any Bible film I’ve seen, this one beautifully portrays how the early … More Counting the Cost (Skye Jethani)
Richard Halverson, the former chaplain of the United States Senate, summarized church history this way: “In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centered on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next, it … More The Idol of Celebrity (Skye Jethani)
One of my favorite Christian thinkers and leaders these days is Skye Jethani. I subscribe to his “daily devotional for people who hate daily devotionals” called “With God Daily.” I really enjoy it. He’s currently doing a series focusing on a different idol each week. This week has been The Idol of Comfort. I thought I’d … More The Power of Contentment (Skye Jethani)
A great rethink regarding the innkeeper in the Christmas pageant by Mike Glenn found at Scot McKnight’s Jesus Creed blog. Most of us have heard of the innkeeper in the Christmas story. Poor Mary, pregnant and tired, has been dragged to Bethlehem by Joseph because that’s where his family is from and according to Caesar … More A Place to Start (Mike Glenn)
by Pete Scazzero Benedict (480-547 AD) lived during a time when the Roman Empire was disintegrating and eventually founded twelve monasteries near Rome. To guide these monks to live a simple, orderly life around Christ, he wrote “a little rule for beginners” now famously known as the “Rule of Benedict” (RB). This “Rule” became one of the most … More Lessons from the “Rule” of Benedict
By Hershael York By its very nature, the field of pastoral leadership is fraught with such incredible difficulties that we must say with the Apostle Paul, “Who is sufficient for these things?” Leading God’s people is unlike any other task in the world — which is why it requires a calling of the Spirit, and not … More 10 Challenges of Being a Pastor
Here’s the sermon Mike prepared for last Sunday when we cancelled due to 20 inches of snow! The main thing I’m DOUBTING these days is if Spring is ever going to come to Minnesota! Thanks for this thoughtful message, Mike! The gospel lesson from the common lectionary for the 3rd week of Easter invites us … More Sermon: “I Doubt It” (Mike Fox)
by Pete Scazzero Limits are often the last place we look for God. We want to conquer them, plan around them, deny them, and fight them. We attend leadership conferences so we can step out in faith and break through the limits before us. The problem is that when we fail to look for God … More God’s Gift of Limits
“How are you doing today?” I asked Rob (not his real name), and extended a hand. “I am blessed,” he proclaimed, then asked pointedly, “What else can I say?” Rob and I stepped out into the cold December day. We crossed the busy Minneapolis street and headed to the car, where my colleague unlocked the … More Warmth & Kindness (by Rachel Evans)
By Nancy Adsem I make mittens. I love the search for old wool sweaters and great buttons – the cutting and stitching and lining with fleece. Each pair is different and, I think, has a unique “personality”. Each fall I gather with another mitten friend, and we sell our mittens at an out-door Christmas festival … More Mittens for Yvonne (by Nancy Adsem)
By Mike Fox On my desk at work I have a scripture-a-day calendar. When I get to work in the morning, one of the first things I do is tear off yesterday’s verse and look at the new verse. I never look ahead. I look forward to the surprise. Last week one of the verses … More “Here I Am!” (by Mike Fox)
From Pete Scazzero: Character is more important than gifting. Being is more important than doing. When we have overlooked issues of character because of anointing, effectiveness, or natural abilities, we have always paid a price. Do not rush. When decisions were made quickly, without pausing to pray, think and process implications, we always experienced regrets. Seeing the Promised Land without carefully … More 10 Turning Point Lessons for Church Leaders (by Pete Scazzero)
Kingdom Harbor 