I have an entire file drawer dedicated to sermon illustrations.Beginning with one for "Abortion" followed by one for "Addictions" and then continuing on to places like "Grief," "Healing," "Methodism" (over which I have some grief and is in need of healing!), then into...
Jesus And Comparative Religions
After having spent a couple of weeks in countries dominated by Buddhism (Cambodia) and Hinduism (India), my mind has been understandably focused on the relationship between Jesus and other religions.Which is why a couple of analogies given by Jesus' people in India...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Pics From Cambodia & India
Back on US soil, with a more consistent internet connection, we're now able to share some of the visuals from our sojourn to Cambodia and India.So here it is . . . in chronological rather than preferential order . . . our Top Five Pictures From Our Top Two...
Best. Classes. Ever.
One of the unique things about this place is the collection of short-term, high-quality, content-heavy classes we offer each semester.We call it Passage -- as in a "passage" of the bible, but also a "passage" through which you walk.Our spring 2011 slate starts this...
Headed Home
As you read this, I'll be somewhere over the polar ice cap on a 15 hour flight from Delhi to Chicago.At least I still have some good books to help pass the time. And Tylenol PM.Our team is both energized and exhausted.We are most grateful for all your prayers and your...
Hinduism And Its Gods
Hinduism is everywhere in India. In particular, roadside shrines attract the faithful. Typically, the entrance to such shrines feature statues of a pair of roaring lions, considered sacred in the Hindu religion. (Interesting -- lions, not native to India, are sacred...
Village Visits
We've spent the last three days making visits to church work going on in various villages throughout the remote ("interior") areas of the state of Orissa in Northeast India.For the first day, we ministered with the Dalit people who live in the coastal area near...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Things You May Not Know About India
This portion of our journey has been head-spinning, overwhelming, exhausting, and invigorating.But enough of all that. Here are the top five things I'm noticing about India:1. Brakes are optional when driving in India, while horns are mandatory.2. Everywhere American...
Speaking Twice On An Indian Sunday
So yesterday I spoke on two very different occasions to two very different congregations about two very different subjects.In the morning, it was at the United Church in Bhubaneswar, a city of 1.3 million people in northeast India. I delivered the morning sermon to a...
Some Random Observations
Here are some odds and ends from our trip. I will give a more comprehensive Friday post later tonight . . . or early Friday morning, Charlotte time.Random notes:The world really is flat, as Thomas Friedman says. While delivering yesterday's sermon in a village with no...