on the walk

Here is a bit of what Lewis says on the subject of choosing life. He is unapologetic that living a godly life leads to rewards. The rewards we seek through sin pale in comparison with the good rewards that God desires to give us through the life God offers. (Let us be clear this is not what many popular preaching today says about how God wants to bless us. Notice we are talking here about the good rewards that God desires to give us, not the base rewards like money and comfort that we desires from God. Continue Reading »

I am teaching on Romans right now. It is a wonderful process. I am learning so much and am being so inspired by reading this book so closely. I love Romans.

This Sunday we are discussing 1:18 – 3:20. This section is all about idolatry sin and death. It is great stuff. Continue Reading »

I have realized that perhaps the titles of these sermon reflection posts needs some explanation. (To hear the sermons upon which I am reflecting, go here.) Many of the hippest playgrounds these days not only have tire swings and ladders, but they also have a soft squishy surface that is made from shredded tires.

My first reflection this week does not come specifically from the sermon or even the specific topic. (Although I have a few of those coming.) Rather I have a general reflection on recycling. Most recycling involves destruction. Turning an old tire into a tire swing is not very destructive, but to turn it into a play surface involves at the very least, shredding the tire into little pieces. Recycling paper involves shredding it, and soaking it in water and mixing it with chemicals and mashing it back together.

In Douglas Adams wonderful book Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Ford Prefect describes traveling through hyperspace as “Unpleasantly like being drunk.” Aurthur dent replies, “What is so unpleasant about being drunk?” Prefect deadpans, “Ask a glass of water.” Continue Reading »

At the end of our staff meeting, our executive pastor shared the following blessing. I was reminded how dangerous it is to prayer the will of God. I always feel safe when I pray the selfish prayers that are my habit, but when I am confronted with a prayer that so expresses the example of Christ and the values of God, I realize that prayer is dangerous. To pray “thy will be done” as a follower of one who was sent by God to die is a truly dangerous thing. Continue Reading »

Last night I was tired (not quite tired enough to sleep, which is nice because I was determined to end my night in prayer) and consequently when I turned to prayer I was wordless.  Silence did not seem an option for I knew that silent prayer would quickly become slumbering prayer.

So I grabbed a hymnal. Continue Reading »