Braving The Waters

picture from churtart.com   We all have a favorite hymn or three. I would venture to say most of us don’t think about the theological significance of the hymns we sing. Even as a pastor, I don’t always think about all the words and what the implicitly or explicitly say when I pick hymns for Sunday morning worship. “Does the congregation know this one?” is often the first and last thought when picking most hymns. I wish it weren’t that way but it is what it is, I guess. There is such a great depth of wisdom and soul in hymns that is often overlooked especially when the hymn becomes so familiar that we sing it without thinking about the words.  Several years ago I was given a book entitled 101 Hymn Stories, as you can guess it has stories about 101 different hymns. These stories tell of the deep heartaches, overflowing blessings, and profound understanding of God in the author’s life. It is interesting to me that out of one person’s most unfathomable grief or abunda...

picture from churchart.com What if we ACTUALLY spent time LIVING the way we have come to understand Jesus’ teachings in our lives and less time TALKING about why others don’t understand like we do? What if we spent more time SEEING Christ IN others and less time blindly searching for the “best” way TO BE the face of Christ TO others? What if we were so ALIVE in the Holy Spirit that no matter what we did people couldn’t help but know our faith is in something great than us? What if we STOPPED dreaming about the church of the past and STARTED living out the church of today? What if… You made your faith in Christ known to those around you What if… You spent just one hour every day seeing Christ in someone else What if… You let the Spirit of God move your life instead of trying to move it on your own What if… What if…

Holy God, I stand before you wanting to serve but feeling unworthy to serve one as awesome as You. Help me, guide me, strengthen me that I might come to serve you more fully in every aspect of my life. Through praise, worship, service, and quiet meditation move through me that I might help others experience your love and compassion. This is my prayer- Amen. picture found on churchart.com  You are invited to use this prayer everyday this week if you wish in your personal devotions. If used in a group setting please make mention of where the prayer came from, don't claim it as your own. Thank you.

What does it mean to belong? We belong to families, circles of friends, clubs/organizations, churches, interest groups, secret societies, and most importantly we belong to God. We learn from an early age what it means to physically and emotionally belong or not belong. If you come from a close knit family that shows acceptance, care, patience, and above all love you probably have a pretty good idea what it means to belong. If growing you were different from the other kids and never fit in the “in” crowd, never got picked first in gym class, always had less valentines (even though everyone was supposed to bring one for everyone), and never felt accepted for who you were, you might have a good idea what it means to not belong. If it was always easy for you to belong and then you have trouble finding a place to fit in you might wonder what is wrong with you. If you never felt like you belonged and now you have found your place you might always be waiting for someone to come and say “sorr...

picture found on churchart.com When I was a student at Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio I was a Resident Assistant. Every year during our fall training we would be given countless pieces of paper and other resources with ideas and suggestions on how to help the students in our building become the best students they could be during their time at MUC. During training my junior year we were given resources that focused was self-care, priorities, and life-skills popular college campus topics. One of the resources we received was a teal colored piece of paper; on the top of the paper in big bold letters it says “HOW TO BE HAPPY” . The rest of the page consists of 16 bullet points of ideas on how to achieve this happiness. Well really 15 and 1 blank space for you to add your own idea. When you read this list it can be over whelming. Some of the ideas are not easy for example one I found difficult then and continue to struggle with now is “develop a life purpose; give back to our...

O God, like the psalmist let me sing of your steadfast love.  Let my mouth proclaim your faithfulness and love through all generations (Psalm 89:1-2). pause for a moment of silence  As I work this week to live into the person you have called me to be, I pray for your guidance and grace. Even when I don’t deserve it God, you wrap your arms around me and envelop me with your love. pause to feel God's embrace I often neglect to say even a simple ‘thank you’.  SAY IT NOW, ALOUD-  THANK YOU GOD! I ask your mercy and forgiveness.  As I try this week to reflect your image to the world,  help me first to be mindful of what I have been blessed with so I might be a blessing to others.  When I struggle to show your love to others, show your understanding and grace by nudging me back to you. pause now to feel God nudging you today This is my prayer- hear my prayer. Amen. picture found on churchart.com  You are invited to use th...

What does it mean to be a theologian? Being a theologian is part of being a Christian. Don’t let that frighten you. Before I started seminary Lexington Theological Seminary sent me a book, How to Think Theologically. Every incoming student was supposed to read it before arriving on campus for orientation. If I remember correctly some parts of this book were easier to read and understand than others. Within the ten page introduction of this book the authors outline basic thoughts about theology, the church, and the Christian faith. What has stuck with me from this book is that no matter who you are, clergy, lay person, someone new to the faith, someone who can’t even remember how long they have believed, this book reassures even the most doubtful among us that you- yes even you are a theologian. Like I said before don’t be frightened by that thought, but empowered that you are able to hold such an advantageous title! To be a theologian you do not have to develop a theory about t...

After a long conversation with a friend and colleague in ministry I had the revelation that I am the only thing stopping me from blogging on a more regular basis. I am the one who comes up with reasons why I don’t have time, energy, or ideas to write about.    When I think about it, none of those things are true. I have time -- I just find other things to do, like waste time on Facebook; I have the energy -- I just expend it on other things, like reorganizing the piles of papers on my desk; and I have ideas -- I just always seem to convince myself that no one else would want to read them.   This is why it is good to have friends!   They are able to convince you, when you start down the "woe is me" path that no one cares what you have to say, that you are only holding yourself back.  They remind you that if you only have conversations with yourself you will never know if others agree with you. They share with you times when your insight and ideas have chan...