An hour before our 9:30am Easter Service, I received some bad news from my Pastor of Tech Ministries: our plans to do a live video feed of our Cardboard Testimonies hit a huge roadblock; the video processing unit was not working. This was devastating news because it would mean that most of the people in … Continue reading Pressing Jesus

Whew! After six worship services, four rehearsals, hours of set up and tear down, creating videos, powerpoints, coordinating volunteers, and many prayers (some frantic and desperate, others more reflective and contemplative) I can say with Jesus, “It is finished!” Of course, his work was the greatest and most difficult deed in all of history. Mine … Continue reading Post Lent Reflections

Today is Good Friday. One of the most beautiful and haunting hymns that speak of the crucifixion of our Lord is the spiritual, “Were You There?” It is simple and to the point, like all of the spiritual songs of the African-American slaves. Each verse has a simple phrase describing the atoning death of Jesus … Continue reading Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?

Thursday (John 13:1-17) Theme: An Example to Follow The time was immanent. Jesus knew that within hours he would be hanging on a cross. He knew that this was his last opportunity to give his disciples something that would remain with them forever. What does he do? He washes their feet. Of all the lessons … Continue reading An Example to Follow

One of the greatest and most beautiful passages in Isaiah’s vision is chapter 53. Written 800 years before Christ was born, Isaiah describes both the intense physical and emotional anguish of the Suffering Servant, who willingly offered his life as atonement for our sin. You can almost feel the pain of Messiah’s rejection in the … Continue reading The Travail of His Soul

As we begin Holy Week, I am reminded of Jesus’ “cleansing of the Temple.” In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), this is Jesus’ first act after entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The thing that strikes me the most about this incident is that Jesus is angry. Most of us don’t normally associate Jesus … Continue reading What Makes Jesus Angry?

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