At Christmas, you get a dozen different versions of the same song. Some songs have the same words with different melodies. Other songs have the same melodies but different words. And some songs have words that are mostly the same, but with some slight variations. It makes it tough for us worship leaders, who have … Continue reading The Lord is Come

I’ve definitely noticed a change in the traffic patterns in my neck of the woods since Thanksgiving. People are driving faster. They are more impatient in traffic. They are cutting others off. They are insisting on their own way. They are running red lights and rolling past stop signs. I know because I am one … Continue reading What’s the Rush?

Tonight at worship team rehearsal we went over a song we are doing this weekend, “Here I Am to Worship” by Chris Tomlin. It’s an “oldie” that we haven’t done for quite awhile. During our team time we discussed the some of the lyrics and how they are so appropriate for Advent (“Coming”). They talk … Continue reading Stepping into My Darkness

We are now in the season of Advent. Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” Many liturgical churches celebrate Advent as a re-enactment and celebration of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. As people who live on this side of the Cross, we also look forward to Christ’s Second Coming (Advent). However, Advent also represents the “comings” … Continue reading The Practice of Anticipation

I apologize for the lack of posts these past couple of days. To be honest, I was depleted. I just had nothing to write, nothing to say. Along with the travel, being with family and Thanksgiving preparations (all of this good), there were additional issues that sapped my soul: the death of my Grandma, the … Continue reading Getting the Cart back behind the Horse

We’ve spent the last couple of weeks on how we can go deeper in being “thankful” to God.  The focus has been on what God has done or what God has given to us. I hope that these blogs have stirred some ideas and thoughts to help us in the all important spiritual practice of … Continue reading Thank You for You!

The other day, the words to an old Matt Redman song was stuck in my head: Jesus Christ, I think upon your sacrifice, You became nothing, poured out to death Many times, I've wondered at Your gift of life And I'm in that place once again. Once again I look upon the Cross where You … Continue reading Thank You for Saving Me

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I want to adjust the focus of our “thankful” series to those specific things that God has done for all of us. While the blessings of God are particular to our situation, God has universally done wonderful things for all of us. Our first look is that God created … Continue reading Thank You for Creating Me!

As many of you know, my wife, Letty, teaches Kindergarteners. With these “young-uns” one has to come up with quick, memorable statements to help them adjust their thinking (what the Bible calls “renewal of the mind”). When a 5 year old has difficulty when getting a blue balloon instead of a red one or has … Continue reading You Get What You Get, So Be Thankful for It

A friend shared with me an experience he had on a remodeling job. On the surface it looked like one big hassle: he would have to travel a couple hundred miles, live on the job site for a week, and do some difficult remodeling work. But because he had done work with this family before, … Continue reading Recognizing gifts from the Father