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About your political posts…

beliefAugust 26, 2024959Views 0Likes 0Comments

I remember a friend of mine in Florida who made a big push for his church to hand out bottles of water on the beach during the summer. “We want to show people the love of Jesus!” Ok, that’s important. “We want people to know we care!” Well, sure we do. “So here’s what we’re…

Genie, I Wish You Free

UncategorizedAugust 11, 20241KViews 0Likes 2Comments

This morning as I awoke, the thoughts of Robin Williams’ death barged into my mind again. I'd never met him, but like millions around the world, his apparent suicide has left me troubled as if he were a family member. This is one we all feel more than we logically should. Did anyone not love Robin…

Undignified

worshipAugust 8, 20243KViews 0Likes 0Comments

There is no more obvious indicator of spiritual decay or deadness than disdain for the joyful worship of others. None. I’ve seen it in church after church, and heard it from scores of worship leaders in multiple denominations. Every one of them has dealt with someone or a group of someones who bristle at…

A Love Story

beliefJuly 13, 2024888Views 0Likes 0Comments

Most of us know worship from the church we grew up in, and I’m no exception. I remember the Organ prelude, the Call to Worship by the choir, the hymns, the Welcome (turn around and shake hands with people like you care). There was some sort of choir anthem and a solo we called the…

Deconstructing Worship

beliefJuly 10, 20243KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Seriously, when was the last time you heard someone say something positive about their church’s worship music? I don’t blame them. There’s no surer way to get myself in a deep funk (and I don’t mean the musical kind) than to watch some church’s live stream on Sunday afternoon after my own worship leading is…

Approaching Oz

beliefJune 26, 20243KViews 0Likes 0Comments

The lady was in her 90s, seated by a window with a spectacular view of the golf course landscaping outside. She had been an artist, and her oil paintings decorated many of the walls around us. Her condo was not elaborate but tastefully decorated. I guess that’s what you’d expect from an artist. “I didn’t…

The First Person You Meet in Heaven

beliefJune 26, 2024891Views 0Likes 0Comments

A friend reposted a question on her Facebook page from John Tesh’s radio show. The puffy-haired spokesman, best known for his stint on Entertainment Tonight, asked: “When you get to heaven, who are you going to look for first?” The answers were probably what you’d expect. There were about 100 “mommas” Lots of deceased spouses. …

Turkey Bacon is of the Devil

beliefJune 26, 2024759Views 0Likes 0Comments

Turkey bacon is a lie of the devil. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. But for a big guy who loves to eat, something about it just seems deceptive. And we all know Satan is the father of all lies, right? I mean, it looks like real bacon, it even smells like real bacon a…

(don’t) BE CAREFUL

beliefApril 16, 2024859Views 0Likes 0Comments

Be very careful. Not careful about taking risks. You never accomplish anything of value without a healthy risk involved. Instead, be careful about being too careful. That was pretty confusing, right? Let’s start again… You really need to take care about being careful. “Careful” could be exactly how you miss out on the best…

The Power of a Choir

beliefMarch 21, 20242KViews 0Likes 0Comments

Have you noticed what they do on TV awards shows when they want to really sell a song? What do they do to put their big inspirational numbers over the top? They bring out a choir, usually in traditional robes, singing strong and loud behind the soloist. Yes, that’s what I said… a choir. You…

Reading Your Mail

beliefMarch 7, 2024645Views 0Likes 0Comments

It’s painful watching someone self-destructing on your computer screen. From the posts people make on social media, you can feel like you’re reading their mail. They’ve just been through something tough - loss of a job, a relationship - some major wounding. And now come the self-defense posting… “If someone leaves you, they were never…

Talent’s Not Enough

worshipFebruary 21, 2024802Views 0Likes 0Comments

I invited a non-Christian friend of mine, who had rarely if ever been to a church, to my Sunday service once. After the service, I asked him how he liked it. I’ll never forget his response. “Here’s my ‘review’ of this morning: I liked the sermon ok, but I really enjoyed the ‘warm-up act’ before…