Category: Ministry
-
“The Soundtrack of My Life” (Warning: this is very likely the most trivial post I’ve ever written)
Yesterday, listening to the radio, I heard someone talking about the collection of songs that would compose the musical “Soundtrack of My Life.” As I was driving for a couple of hours, with time to ponder pointless thoughts, I’ve composed my own soundtrack…
-
Quicksand Spirituality
Perhaps I’m struggling because I’m supposed to speak for God. After all, that’s my job. That is what I’m paid to do. I’m supposed to know why God allows tragedies to happen. No. I take that back. I’m supposed to know why God allowed THIS tragedy to happen. I’m supposed…
-
Bravery
Bravery’s hard. Bravery requires risk and vulnerability. Bravery requires facing the likelihood of danger. Bravery requires stepping out of the shadows, and into the light. Bravery requires facing the possibility of failure and defeat. Bravery requires the courage to be real, to be exposed.
-
Heroes
As I reflect on my heroes, I see themes emerge: leadership, humility, dissatisfaction with the status quo, authenticity, fearlessness in the face of opposition, service and sacrifice, courage, commitment to change, depth of character, belief that a better world is possible, perseverance, overcoming hardship and resistance, and a deep passion…
-
God “Bless?” America
Is it possible we understand the word “blessed” correctly, but expect the wrong outcome? After all, we live in the wealthiest, most prosperous nation on earth. But, what’s all of our wealth and welfare doing for us?
-
Being a “cracked-pot” pastor…
I still find myself wondering, almost daily, “Is this what a pastor is supposed to think, say, feel, do?” I often conclude the answer must be “no.” After almost twenty-five years of ministry, I’m still figuring out this job every day.
-
Preaching for the Governor… and Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC, Reuters…
was prepared for yesterday (Sunday, February 18, 2018) to be a “different” kind of Sunday, given the recent tragedy in our community. We’d already modified the service to address the myriad questions and emotions, to honor the dead, and to comfort the hurting. We were prepared for larger crowds, knowing…
-
What broke him?
Yesterday, Nikolas Cruz entered the campus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, FL – a school he was expelled from – murdering seventeen innocent victims and injuring at least fourteen others. The press is already reporting there were “red flags” – expulsion, social media posts, strange behaviors, etc. …
-
“More” – a sermon preached at First Church Coral Springs on August 13, 2017
Possibilities… It was the last semester of my last year of college. I was facing the reality of impending adulthood; and, I wasn’t ready. I was about to graduate, but I had partied my way through college. My degree was unmarketable. My grades were pathetic. I didn’t have any real-world…
vancerains.com 