“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs” (Matt. 10:27, NIV). In this verse, Jesus refers to both physical and metaphorical roofs. He is urging his disciples to share the treasure of the gospel by announcing it far and wide.  Making a…

In Part 1 of this series, we examined how perfectionism can invade the church and the Christian life in an insidious way.  Sin ravages. Love ravishes. And the difference between the two is as big as the Grand Canyon.  You see, what Jesus is saying in our focal passage (John 15:9-11) is this: “I’ve created…

The church seems to attract recovering perfectionists. And in fact, we almost play to that audience, for both good and ill. For good, if we proclaim a gospel that allows the perfectionist to relax and soak into the presence of God: his unaided, unconditional, completely free love that he pours out on us in his…

“Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To stop without a farmhouse near Between…

We are celebrating the Feast Day of St. James of Jerusalem, making the distinction between this James and James, the brother of Jesus, whom tradition says wrote the book we know as James. The life and death—as a martyr—of this James gives us reason to consider the true price of being a Christian. Leadership Has…

In part 1, we discussed the way of the cross as the path of suffering and learned that Jesus invites us into that. You see, he did not live a life of suffering so I can somehow live a life in direct opposition to what he teaches.  A Place Ordained It is possible, you know.…

On June 14, we gave thanks for the life of Basil the Great. Basil is called “the Great” because of the importance and the revolutionary nature of his teaching. Basil had initially planned to go into law. He came from a very well-to-do family in Cappadocia, present-day Turkey. But at 28, his younger brother unexpectedly,…

In part 1 of this series, we examined three characteristics of those who are called to service in the church. This week, we’ll look at more of what the call means. I am writing particularly to deacons, but much of this applies to any Christian. A Call to Slavery One of the things we see…

This series is for all those who are called to service in the church – in other words, every Christian. I’m addressing deacons, but these truths will benefit any follower of Christ. God is raising up men and women who are willing to serve him all over the world. When you’re ordained, part of the…

We live in a realm where people are often mistreated by institutions. And that’s really the story of the man who was born blind (John 9:1-12). We prayed at the beginning of the service, “Gracious Father, whose blessed Son, Jesus Christ, came down from heaven to be the true bread that gives life to the…