As part of our ongoing series “The Fine Art Of Belly-Aching” we’re encouraging the people of @goodshepherd to begin their days in the Word and not in the world. I am devoting this space to reading prompts so that we can resource the same people we encourage. This...
The Pronouns Have It! Romans 1:1-17 Reading Prompts
During the "Fine Art Of Belly-Aching" series, we are inviting the people of Good Shepherd to begin their days in the Word and not in the world. I am devoting this space to reading prompts so that we can resource the same people we encourage. This week’s readings...
All Together Now … James 4
For the people of Good Shepherd Church and in support of our current series "The Fine Art Of Belly-Aching," we're reading through the book of James this week. Each morning, I'm devoting this space to reading prompts. Today, James 4 Whew! James 4! We could spend a week...
What We’re Doing Every Day In This Series …
For the people of Good Shepherd Church and beyond we are beginning the day in the Word rather than in the world. In support of "The Fine Art Of Belly-Aching" series, we're starting each day this week in the book of James. As part of that project, I am giving daily...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Movie Scenes That Make Me Cry
I cry at odd movies, at scenes most other people don't find so traumatic. But anything having to do with fathers and sons or divorce or unexpected death . . . well, pass the kleenex, please. 5. Walk The Line. In this biopic of Johnny Cash there is a scene in which...
The Fine Art Of Belly-Aching, Week 1 — The “Mine Eyes Have Seen The Gory” Sermon Rewind
Yesterday's message ... Started a series based on a book many long-time church goers did not even know was in the biblical library -- Habakkuk; Explained that Habakkuk's genre is that of complaint or lament; Required some knowledge of the Babylonia siege and...
“The Fine Art Of Belly-Aching” Launch — “Mine Eyes Have Seen The Gory”
Have you noticed that when you ask someone, “how are you doing?” and they answer, “can’t complain,” that they’re REALLY telling you that if they COULD complain they sure WOULD? Complaining. Whining. Belly-Aching. Whatever you call it, a lot of us are good at it. In...
Believe It And Not
One of my favorite verses is Mark 9:24, where a father who has asked Jesus to heal his son has the honesty to say this: Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” I love it! I have faith and no faith. I trust and I don’t. I’m...
How To Kill A Sermon
I know a preacher is in trouble whenever he or she says, “Webster’s defines ___________ as __________________.” Why is a dictionary reference a sure-fire sermon killer? Because in preaching you should never define a word with more words. You define a word...
Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Reasons I Have A Roger Federer ManCrush
It's Wimbledon week which means I am both easily distracted and lacking in any objectivity. I want Roger Federer to win his ninth. Whenever he plays, I want him to win. I'm not alone in this. Will Skidelsky wrote a laugh-out-loud memoir called Federer And Me: A Story...