At our staff prayer meeting a few weeks back I was prompted to think and pray about three things as we began a new term of ministry: Fuel, Focus and Faith. Fuel In Ephesians 5:18-20, the apostle Paul tells us to, "Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit." Like a vehicle whose petrol tank gradually … Continue reading Fuel – Focus – Faith
Lessons from Jesus on Prayer (Pt.2)
Yesterday, we looked at the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. Before teaching that pattern or pathway for prayer, Jesus gave these important instructions: Matthew 6:1-8. When you pray, don't be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell … Continue reading Lessons from Jesus on Prayer (Pt.2)
Lessons from Jesus on Prayer (Pt.1)
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. Matthew records his teaching like this ... Matthew 6:9-15. Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have … Continue reading Lessons from Jesus on Prayer (Pt.1)
A Light in the Darkness
Are you afraid of the dark? When I was a kid, I sure was! We lived in Portland, Oregon in this old 4-story house. Often at night I’d hear footsteps coming up the stairs, getting faster and heavier with each thump … only to discover it was my heart beating. Around this time, a friend and I … Continue reading A Light in the Darkness
The Blessing of Giving
Right now our church is engaging in what we are calling The Story Building Project. This is an opportunity to invest in creating more space and newer environments where stories can be told and lives can be transformed by God's love. God's Perspective on Generous Giving What does God think about all this? Paul quotes … Continue reading The Blessing of Giving
Learning to Live in the Present Moment with a Greater Awareness of God
A classic Christian book on spirituality is The Practice of the Presence of God, which is a book of collected teachings of Brother Lawrence (born Nicholas Herman), a 17th-century Carmelite monk. The basic theme of the book is the development of an awareness of the presence of God in daily life. More recently, pastor and theologian Gregory Boyd … Continue reading Learning to Live in the Present Moment with a Greater Awareness of God
St Patrick’s Prayer
I love this prayer from St. Patrick: Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ … Continue reading St Patrick’s Prayer
The Joy of HOME
"Christ is in me, and I in Christ. In Christ, my home, I belong - I see and am seen, I hear and am heard, I love and am loved - I belong. In Christ, my home, I am safe - there is nothing that separates me from Him. In Christ, my home, I have … Continue reading The Joy of HOME
God is with you NOW
Here is a quote from Gregory Boyd's helpful book Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now. When many Christians first hear about the practice of the presence of God, it strikes them as an impossible discipline. Perhaps supersaints locked up in monasteries can attain this level of awareness, but not us average folk who work … Continue reading God is with you NOW
Re-Dig the Wells
In the introduction to our HOME series this last weekend, I shared with our church about an Old Testament story where Isaac had to re-dig the wells his father had initially opened up but that had been filled with debris by his enemies (Genesis 26:15-18). He also took time to dig new wells of fresh water. … Continue reading Re-Dig the Wells
How to Know You Need a Sabbath When …
I loved this BLOG post written by Peter Scazzero. You know you need a Sabbath when: 1. The only time you are alone is in the bathroom. 2. It takes you over thirty minutes to fall asleep because your mind is racing about things you forgot to do. 3. You think rest is standing still … Continue reading How to Know You Need a Sabbath When …
Soul Keeping
John Ortberg's latest book is called Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You. John is a well-known pastor, speaker and best-selling author from the USA. In this excellent book, he delves into the inner world of our soul, exposing what the soul needs and showing how it can be restored. John, who … Continue reading Soul Keeping
Wisdom from Proverbs
When I was a teenager, I lived in Portland, Oregon with my family and attended Bible Temple Church, now City Bible. My youth pastor at the time was Wendell Smith. Wendell had a huge impact on my life as a young person trying to discover God and my own purpose in life. Wendell encouraged all … Continue reading Wisdom from Proverbs
Celebrating Pentecost
Last Sunday was “Pentecost Sunday” (8th June), a significant day on the Christian annual calendar, yet one that tends to receive little attention, compared to Christmas and Easter. Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days after Easter and is a celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church of Jesus Christ. … Continue reading Celebrating Pentecost
Breathe … again
Here are a few more Bible verses to reflect on during times in the day when you just want to ... breathe ... Take a breath. Be refreshed. Jeremiah 2:25. Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway? MB Ezekiel 37:5. This is … Continue reading Breathe … again