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Prophetic Preaching and the Good News
Last week I started a series of sermons titled: The Embracing Church: Life in the Expansive Kingdom of God. It is a series looking that assumes that the God who embraces all of us likewise wants the Body of Christ to be about embrace as well. Last week, I preached a variation on the post … Continue reading Prophetic Preaching and the Good News
Living in the Expansive Kingdom of God
The other night, after spending an rare hour at the gym followed by another hour at the supermarket, I was standing in my kitchen putting away the last of the groceries when I heard a quiet “woof” at my feet. I looked down and there were two enormous brown eyes staring up at me longingly … Continue reading Living in the Expansive Kingdom of God
The Best Justice System in the Land?
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. -- Multiple sclerosis has Paul House in a wheelchair. A tenacious prosecutor has him on death row, deemed too dangerous to be released two years after the U.S. Supreme Court said he likely isn't guilty. That closely watched ruling, which made it easier for inmates to get new hearings on DNA evidence that … Continue reading The Best Justice System in the Land?
The Costs of War
It's early Monday morning and I should be asleep, but for some reason I haven't been tired and so I decided to check out the Frontline site to check on the latest documentary. I came upon a program called Bad Voodoo's War, which followed a National Guard platoon during their tour of Iraq. Their story … Continue reading The Costs of War
Hope for the Future
Israel says it is holding peace talks with Syria - Yahoo! NewsJERUSALEM - Israel and Syria on Wednesday said they were holding indirect peace talks through Turkish mediators — the first official confirmation of contacts between the longtime enemies.In statements issued minutes apart, the two governments said they "have declared their intent to conduct these … Continue reading Hope for the Future
Another great pic from my cuz
Ray Sadler » Archives » Tootsies
The Great Commission
Willow Creek’s ‘Huge Shift’
After modeling a seeker-sensitive approach to church growth for three decades, Willow Creek Community Church now plans to gear its weekend services toward mature believers seeking to grow in their faith.The change comes on the heels of an ongoing four-year research effort first made public late last summer in Reveal: Where Are You?, a book … Continue reading Willow Creek’s ‘Huge Shift’
Ephesians 1:12
Praying in Color
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 I am in the middle of reviewing a book from Paraclete Press titled "Praying In Color," by Sybil MacBeth. Ms. Macbeth offers a way to visually connect with one's prayers and/or lectio, offering the possibility of praying with the right side of the brain. It really isn't about creating good art, but … Continue reading Praying in Color
Reflection for May 12
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at … Continue reading Reflection for May 12
Lagging in America
It's almost 2:30 a.m. here in the US, but my is totally confused by where I am. Just a day or so ago, it would be out looking and searching for some exotic site in Israel with thoughts starting to drift toward lunch. Now I am sitting in my home office at 2:30 a.m., trying … Continue reading Lagging in America
The Mosaic of All Nations
I find myself today in the internet cafe at the Notre Dame Guest House just outside the New Gate in Jerusalem. We began the day on the Mt. of Olives, walked to Gethsemane, and saw so many sites that I am on overload. On our way down the hill, we stopped in a church that … Continue reading The Mosaic of All Nations
Wounds and Reconcilation
Yesterday, on our "sabbath day" during this pilgrimage, six of us went together and took a cab into the city of Tiberias. Located on the coast of the Sea of Galilee, Tiberias is an important city in Israel, having first been a center of Roman activity and then becoming a holy sight in Israel coinciding … Continue reading Wounds and Reconcilation
This afternoon Jerusalem
I don't have much time to write other than to say that we are leaving paradise today to travel to Jerusalem. Hopefully I will have time tonight to share about Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Reflections from Galilee
Today was another great day here on the Sea of Galilee. Here are a couple of random thoughts about the trip so far: 1) The best places for me so far are the chances we have gotten to get away from the touristy "sacred" sites and out into the real world. Today we got to … Continue reading Reflections from Galilee
Another Day in Paradise
When I think about traveling to the Holy Land the image that usually comes to mind involves dirt and rocks, with the dominant color being tan. That is not at all what it's like around the Sea of Galilee in Tagbha. I told someone earlier today that I didn't realize that I was traveling to … Continue reading Another Day in Paradise
Strangers in a familiar land
One of the things about coming to this place is that we are so familiar with the stories of faith that we think we have some sense of what the place will be like. For those of us who have gone deeper in our biblical education, we have studied maps, seen pictures of the surroundings, … Continue reading Strangers in a familiar land
Sitting on the Patio
I'm sitting on the patio here at Pilgerhaus watching the wild parrots fly by, listening to the wind blow off the Sea of Galilee, and trying to tune out the theological argument at the next table. The winds are strong this afternoon, which feels great but I could imagine are a bit fearful when you … Continue reading Sitting on the Patio
Only Wonder Understands 