Today in my lectionary reading was the passage of Jesus’ Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21:1-11). As I read and listened in Lectio Divina on this passage, I was drawn by the short pretext – a part that I tend to gloss over - that occurred before Jesus’ triumphal entry and the crowd’s shouts … Continue reading No Small Parts or Small Disciples

I remember a day when I was quite upset with one of my sons. He made a request that disrupted my plans. I was angry for a number of “good reasons.” I stewed it over for several moments. I determined in my heart that I would not lash out at my son, but make this … Continue reading Taming the Tongue

I woke up the other morning hearing a song on the radio that caught my attention. It’s called “Beautiful Day” by Jamie Grace. As a musician, I appreciate how the song’s rhythm, melody, harmony and lyrics, as well as Grace’s stylings work together to create a “sunburst” effect in the soul. As a “positivist,” I … Continue reading About to Get My Worship on

I’m back from my break! I hope you enjoyed the reblogs on prayer last week. I was getting somewhat burned out on writing the blog. I’m sure every blogger goes through this. What started off as something exciting and fresh eventually became one of those “putting the cart before the horse” type of scenarios. I … Continue reading Making Life-Giving Adjustments

(My apologies for forgetting to blog on"Give us this day our daily bread" on the Lord's Prayer last week. Here it is) My adorable grandsons (DeeJay, age 9; Aiden, age 5) came over for breakfast the other morning. As is our tradition, I made “Grandpa’s Epic Pancakes.” Actually, the pancakes themselves are not so epic … Continue reading Where Do “Epic Pancakes” Come From?

As we've discussed the Lord's Prayer this past week, there is an obvious theme: Prayer is much more than just asking God to change things. Indeed, as we look at the role of prayer as it relates to Whole Life Worship, one of the main things prayer does is “change me.” Richard Foster once said, … Continue reading Prayer: Changing Me to Change the World

Some view the last phrase of the Lord’s Prayer as nice closing, kind of like an explanation point at the end of the sentence: For Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. In fact, some of the ancient manuscripts do not include that phrase (which is why you have a … Continue reading Bringing It Back

As we move through the Lord’s Prayer as a model of prayer, the next petition has to do with our protection: Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. One of the problems people have with evil and darkness is that we don’t understand the nature of its power against us. Many underestimate … Continue reading Total Protection

Awhile back, my oldest son, Tim preached an amazing sermon at our home church (Community Baptist Church of Rancho Cucamonga). This is the church he grew up as a child and teenager. He did a fantastic job! Yes, his mom was very proud (as was his dad and the home town folks). In fact, you … Continue reading Why We Must Forgive