I often hear leaders talk about how excited they are about this venture or that project. Good work is energizing and invigorating. But I?m struck by what king David describes as exciting and high on his list of celebrations: Ps 31:7-8, ?I will exult and rejoice in your steadfast love,?because you have seen my affliction;??you […]
Holy Saturday: The In Between
Holy Saturday. The day between the crucifixion and the resurrection. It is the ultimate time of waiting without answers, hoping without evidence. Many of us have situations in our lives that are stretching us to the edge of patience. We don’t see the way out. It is the darkness of the in-between. Find a few […]
Good Friday
O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown; O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine. What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend, For this Thy dying […]
Maundy Thursday: Love Like Jesus
This is the day during Easter week when we remember the words Jesus spoke to his disciples at the last supper. Maundy Thursday comes from the latin Dias Mandatum, “The day of the new commandment.” That commandment, of course, being, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I […]
Anxiety: The Illusion of Control
In my own morning communion with Jesus, one of the practices I find most meaningful is reading and praying the Psalms, often in the form of pouring out my heart in a journal entry: Ps 37:3-5 NRSV, ?Trust in the Lord, and do good;??so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. ?Take delight […]
Discipline is the Price of Freedom
For the last five years or so we have been working with a large international ministry. We have been?helping them be intentional about putting spiritual transformation at the heart of all they do in their ministry. One of my?presentations during that time (and one we share at The Journey) is entitled ?Rhythm of Life.? A […]
You Give Them Something
I?ve been thinking a lot about the scene in Mark?s Gospel where Jesus feeds the five thousand. It is commonplace to hear people say, ?The Lord never changes,? but the more I read the Gospels the more inclined I am to say, ?Disciples never change.? In Mark 6:30-44, the disciples have just returned from being […]
