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
We shove all these disappointments and confusions into a spiritual junk drawer – we don’t know where else to put them. We tell ourselves, “I’ll deal with it later.” … More Junk Drawer Spirituality (Huddle Qs)
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” Andy Williams sings in the background while we scrap and scramble about, trying to hold ourselves together and not lose our minds in all the wonderful-ness. While many are weighed down by the external busyness of the season, I want to speak to those of us who … More Why ‘God-with-Us’ Seems Far Away
As a father, I have wanted to surround my kids not just with books, but the allure of a library that beckons them to a grand adventure. When my kids walk into my study, I want them to feel like the Pevensy children walking into the Professor’s study in The Chronicles of Narnia. … More Journeys Through Bookland
Giving thanks today for my teacher, Scot McKnight, whom I have the privilege of doing my doctoral studies with at Northern Seminary. Scot embodies Christ-centered wisdom, humility, ferocious curiosity and rugged commitment to letting the ancient Scriptures speak for themselves. … More Thankful for my teacher, Scot McKnight!
When I’m an old worn out pastor sitting on a porch drinking coffee, and my memory is all but gone, I’ll still remember those two words spoken over me in that church basement on plastic folding chairs with a flickering fluorescent light above… … More A Catalytic Mobilizer on a Plastic Chair
Images abound for our tendency to settle for less than the best. “Failure to launch.” “Cold feet.” “The boat is still in the harbor.” “She needs to spread her wings to fly”—and sometimes you need to kick them out of the nest before they’ll ever try. … More Learning to Swim in Your Faith
A tearjerking poem I pull out every first (big) snowfall. With love to all who have suffered great loss, but who also know the grace that gently covers our great sorrow like a fresh blanket of snow. … More The First Snowfall
“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” —Oswald Chambers … More WOW – Oswald Chambers
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)
These are exciting times for the mission of the church! But to echo Jesus, the harvest is plentiful but the methods have been too few and outdated. … More MainStreet 2020 Vision
Instead of pushing a heavy boulder up a hill, what if spiritual growth was more like stepping into a river and being gradually swept along by God’s life-giving current? … More Boulders & Rivers
People are being shaped and “discipled” far more effectively by the secular media they consume all week long than by any Sunday sermon they might hear twice a month. … More The 21st Century Areopagus
“The poet enters into himself in order to create. The contemplative enters into God in order to be created.” -Thomas Merton … More WOW- Thomas Merton & Divine Poetry
The church needs to embrace the pastoral gift/role of “spiritual writing” as enthusiastically it celebrates the gift of public speaking. … More Pastoral Letters in a Digital Age – Part 2
From Your Enneagram Coach: Finally, let’s explore Core Longing, or the central message each of our hearts is longing to hear. Each Type has a tendency to feel, think and act in certain ways in order to satisfy their Core Longing. But we forsake our Creator when we try to fulfill this unending craving in … More Enneagram: Core Longing
You know you’ve successfully launched a social revolution when even non-coffee drinkers like me are regularly heard saying, “Hey, wanna grab coffee this week?” … More Apostle Paul at Starbucks
Today’s Words Of Wisdom (WOW) are from Parker J. Palmer. I’m currently reading his book Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life (2004). “Like a wild animal, the soul is tough, resilient, resourceful, savvy, and self-sufficient: it knows how to survive in hard places. I learned about these qualities during my bouts with depression. In … More WOW – Parker Palmer on the Soul
Instead of flinging a relatively impersonal sermon out over a nameless crowd each Sunday, a personal letter to the right person at the right time can fling a shepherd’s arms around wounded or wandering sheep, refreshing their soul. … More Pastoral Letters in a Digital Age – Part 1
While other Jewish teachers were content to spend their time teaching in the synagogue, here is Paul sipping coffee at the ancient equivalent of a Starbucks in the ancient equivalent of Time Square in the ancient equivalent of New York City. … More The Writing is on the Wall
From Your Enneagram Coach: Let’s dive into Core Weakness or the issue that each Type struggles within everyday situations and interactions with others. Each Type has something that they are always wrestling with, an Achilles’ heel that remains with them for all their days on Earth. This is like the “thorn in my flesh” Paul … More Enneagram: Core Weakness
While most churches are trying to attract people to their Sunday services, where are the churches finding new ways to engage spiritual seekers where they are? … More We’re Not In Mayberry Anymore
We don’t know how Kanye’s story will end, but we do know that the call of every follower of Jesus is to let love flow out toward every soul-in-process. … More Thoughts on Kanye’s Christian Faith
From Your Enneagram Coach: Today, we’ll take a look at Core Desire, identifying what each Type is constantly striving for, believing it will bring complete fulfillment. The way we each think, feel and behave are rooted in satisfying our Core Desire, and we become hurt, sad, frustrated, or angry when we can’t obtain it.⠀
Twenty-first century America is rampant with every conceivable form of idolatry and ripe for a kingdom harvest. But ‘motive’ is monumental for every missional endeavor. Paul shows us that all ministry should begin with a broken heart.
Kingdom Harbor 