I know a woman who heard Jesus say, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” She went to be with Jesus this weekend, in timing that seems abrupt to us through our temporal eyes. Kathia Bonhomme was …
Cobblestones
It’s a cold, rainy morning in Jerusalem. The cobblestones are wet, making each step slick and treacherous, as we weave our way through the alleys of the Old City. From Jaffa Gate toward the Western Wall, we pass through the Armenian Quarter into the Jewish Quarter, making our way down to the plaza. Young students, …
It’s the Eternity, Christian!
While I typically attempt to express myself in a manner that my words would be applicable in any season, I’ve written these thoughts in the wake of the re-election of Barack Obama to a second term as president. And so I have felt free to borrow the title from the slogan of a prior campaign, …
Celebrity
Why is our society captivated by celebrity? It seems that merely a spark of fame or notoriety breeds adoration. Some admire the actual accomplishments of others (which brought them fame) while many seem to adore those whose abnormal behavior brought them attention. It would be effortless to name a string of current celebrities without any …
Bringing Chanje
Chanje is the Haitian Creole word for change – for transformation. We’ve seen the Lord move so dramatically in Haiti this past year, that we’ve begun calling what we do there a “Chanje Movement.” Being a part of the transformation means being available to the Lord to change myself, my community and my world, however …
Leadership Profiles
Much has been written about discovering your leadership style, being your best, maximizing your gifts, increasing the productivity of your staff, etc. Last month over coffee, my friend Scott and I were discussing factors influencing church health. As we talked about how leaders impact their people, we identified one profile that makes both of us …
Persistence
Sometimes I don’t even have the persistence of peanut butter. If you put a healthy portion of Skippy on your PBJ sandwich, you’re going to need a tall glass of milk. That concoction of starch and spread has the ability to relentlessly bond to the roof of your mouth. Someone will inevitably ask you, “How’s …
Freed from Fear
I was reflecting on fear earlier this month – how it is harnessed by the enemy to disrupt us as we pursue our vision and try to live out our faith. We want to attempt great things for God, but fear derails us. It could be fear of failure, fear of others’ judgment of us …
Powerful and Relevant
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 This call to repentance comes from the end of Peter’s message to thousands in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. The crowds have …
