When I wrote about a bird in the Cleveland airport, my mind went to Psalm 84. I share another “bird story.” A few years ago, we had a problem down at the church house. We had too many birds–specifically, they had gotten into our Family Life Center. They were messy! Again, my mind goes to …
Category Archives: Worship
Sunday: Contemplating “Us”
I have resumed international mission travels. I am thinking about the contrasts between the churches in the U.S. and the churches in Latin America. I share a few miscellaneous reflections. Before the pandemic, it was common to be in Latin America almost as many Sundays as I was in the U.S. The differences were often …
It’s Sunday Again: Will Anything Surprising Happen Today?
We don’t know what to do with God! We want to control him, box him, understand him. We want our Christianity in neat, little, predictable packages. We want a Holy Spirit under control. We are so committed to “decently and in order” that we limit God. Christianity is a personal treasure hunt! Treasure hunts are …
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Back to the Future–Forward to the Past!
[Reposted and updated from 12/26/07] Science fiction popularized the time machine with its ability to take a person from their present reality to a different point in time. My boys watched the movie, “Back to the Future,” again and again when they were growing up. U.S. religious practices reflect an increased interest in spiritual connections …
It’s Sunday Again: Worship Begins with Who God Is
This past week, I have returned to my “psalms project.” I am writing a devotional based on each of the 150 psalms. As a result, I have had the opportunity to read and reread Psalms 90-100. Worship begins with a heart attuned to God. The Lord reigns—majestic, strong, eternal, transcendent, invincible, and holy. The Lord …
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It’s Sunday Again: “Getting God right”!
If we don’t understand God, it is unlikely we will understand much else of our place and life. Understanding God is foundation for understanding Christ; yet Christ shows us God. This is a paradox in Christianity. We do not study God. We do not seek to know him nor understand him. God’s entire purpose is …
It’s Sunday Again: Hearts Attuned to Praise
I enjoy new songs. I am glad we have fresh words and melodies to express our adoration to God. I also like many of the older songs. One song that we sang frequently in the little church where I grew up in central Kansas was titled “Lord We Come Before Thee Now.” For a time, …
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It’s Sunday Again: Iglesia de Cristo–Crieve Hall
The last three days have been delightful. The seminar focused on building stronger Christian marriages and families, with participants present from several area congregations. With 10 hours teaching hours scheduled in the seminar, we covered a lot of ground, and continued the discussion during refreshments and shared meals. Today we shift gears to think about …
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It’s Sunday Again: Coming Together to Break Bread
In Acts 20 we read about Paul’s travel to Troas where he stayed seven days, apparently desiring to be present on a Sunday (first day of the week) so he could worship with the local church. In Acts 20:7, Luke writes that Paul and those with him (we) assembled with the church to observe the …
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It’s Sunday Again: God Is Beyond our Expectations and Understandings
God is active in this world in ways we do not understand and cannot explain. God’s ways are mysterious, often invisible except in retrospect. We can see where God has been, we can see evidence of his work, but the present activity is difficult to discern with certainty. Faith is depending on the God who …
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