“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough … More QUOTABLES: G.K. Chesterton on “Exulting in Monotony”
“Come to me all you who labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest.” -JESUS Each of the last four days there have been news accounts of a few more funerals held for the killed children from Newtown, CT. It is hard to watch those stories as the short lives of 6 year … More Advent 2012 – Come to Me (by David Brown)
Dear Jesus, It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately. These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated. The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons … More A Christmas Prayer (by Max Lucado)
Here’s a Christmas poem I wrote back in 2003. -JB WHEN HOLINESS CAME DOWN Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright But was it really? There must have been some serious noise in the Heavenlies as demons shrieked and Satan yelled seeing imminent his utter defeat. Holy perhaps was the night before … More When Holiness Came Down
One last peek into my soul as a young adult, as I wrestled with depression and poured out my heart to God. The beauty of the Bible is that we see the raw, honest prayers of others in the Psalms and so on. We all struggle in this life, but the beauty of these painful … More Echoes from the Pit 3 – Unwanted Visitors
Peace that passes all understanding to you, today. Another shooting in an elementary school in Connecticut this morning. While it wasn’t their school, I shudder at the thought of my daughter-in-law and 5 year old grandson having to deal with the aftermath of something that horrific. One of my best friend’s 17 year old step … More Advent 2012 – Peace in the Pain (by David Brown)
Another journal entry from my college days. I’m no poet – and boy do I know it! But these give a glimpse into my heart when I was trying to find my way in this world as a newer disciple of Christ. I felt very lonely and misunderstood at this time, and was struggling to … More Echoes from the Pit 2 – This Old Boat
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, … More Advent 2012 – Weariness (by David Brown)
Pulled out an old journal from my college days….found some very personal, desperate prayers and poems during a trying time in my life. I think I might share a few this Christmas. Here’s a childlike cry for God’s comforting presence to draw near — a prayer to Immanuel, “God with us.” IMMANUEL PRAYER – October … More Echoes from the Pit 1 – Immanuel Prayer
“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1 This is a lengthy post but I do hope you will take time to read it. And before you do, go back and read yesterday’s post. I received the following story from a long-time friend who serves … More Advent 2012 – Genealogy (by David Brown)
“I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can … More Advent 2012 – Contentment (by David Brown)
This is great! From Rob Merola If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator. If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at … More 1 Corinthians 13: Christmas Version
John 5:1-15 “Jesus went…to a pool (in Jerusalem) where a great number of disabled people used to lie-the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked … More Advent 2012 – Personal Touch (by David Brown)
Luke 5:27-29: “…Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me’, Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were … More Advent 2012 – Follow (by David Brown)
John 8:12: (Jesus said) “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit”. This Christian season we prepare for the “advent of Jesus”. Our preparations take on many forms. We prepare for Christmas … More Advent 2012 – Preparation (by David Brown)
Hi all, We’re getting closer to getting building permit to begin work on the new facility in Stonegate Plaza. There’s a lot that goes into these kinds of projects that we were not prepared for. We are asking for your continued prayers as we move this project forward to enhance our mission in Mound. On … More MainStreet Building Project Update
I’m in the process of being sifted these days. Have you been through this painful process? -JB Satan Desires to Sift us Like Wheat by Dick Karman God has warned us about Satan in the Bible. One probably most threatening and graphic passage is 1 Peter 5:8 where God tells us that the devil walks … More Being Sifted (Dick Karman)
“If you want to build a ship, don’t summon people to buy wood, prepare tools, distribute jobs, and organize the work, rather teach people the yearning for the wide, boundless ocean.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupery “Church planting is like trying to build a ship while you’re already at sea.” -Unknown
This is from Mark Stevens, who blogs at the Parson’s Patch: Are most Pastors really happy? I read an article recently that listed pastors as the happiest of all workers. It appears being a pastor is the most fulfilling of all vocations. Second on the list were fire-fighters (now that I can understand). Apparently we pastors … More Pastors: The Happy Job?
What do you think of Greg’s approach to churches addressing this issue? If you have time, watch the video, too. Here is a word I a shared this last weekend with Woodland Hills Church (where I’m senior pastor) in response to numerous questions I’ve received over the last several months. People have asked me why … More Greg Boyd on the Marriage Amendment
On the cross, Jesus gets into it with his mother. “Woman, behold thy son,” he says to her. Mary, look at the child you are losing, the son that you are giving over for the sins of the world. Maternal love is that love that loves in order to give away. In Mary’s case, it … More Jesus’ Family Values (by Will Willimon)
*From a recently published article MainStreet Covenant Church will soon open a new center in the Stonegate Plaza in Mound. Hometown Pastor Jeremy Berg is quick to make clear, “This is not a church building; it’s a community gathering place — a cafe, live music venue, book club hub, public meeting space, after school youth … More Church 2.0: A New MainStreet Location for New Impact
I enjoyed this piece by No Longer I. -JB Did you know that the Rabbis view the study of the Torah (first five books of the Old Testament) as the highest form of worship? One early Rabbi said, “When two sit together and exchange words of Torah, then the divine presence dwells among them.” … More The Power of Bible Study Remembered
Kingdom Harbor 