Category: Spiritual Growth
-
“I press on” – a message to pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone else struggling with uncertainty and insecurity in the face of a global pandemic
Above all, the most pervasive feeling I’m wrestling with, these days, is uncertainty.
-
“I will lift my eyes” – a Facebook Live sermon, based on Psalm 121, preached for The First United Methodist Church of Orlando, on March 29, 2020
Last Sunday morning, before worship, a First Church friend sent me a beautiful YouTube video of the University of British Columbia Choir, singing a choral arrangement of Psalm 121, called “I will lift my eyes,” that literally moved me to tears.
-
I’m currently reading…
One of the few up-sides of this “stay in place” season of coronavirus is the opportunity to read MORE. So, I thought I’d share the books I’m currently reading, in case you’re also a reader, and might be interested. I’d also love to know what you’re reading, too!
-
Stop Ignoring God
What if we paid more attention, more often, to God’s presence and movements? What if we were more aware? What if we more frequently, consistently, intentionally paused to acknowledge God’s presence? What if we trained our selves to be more sensitive and aware of the Spirit’s moves within ourselves and…
-
Spiritual Leadership
Somebody needs to be asking, “What is Jesus’ vision for our church? What is Jesus calling us to do and be? How is Jesus calling us to learn and grow? How does Jesus want us to spend these offerings? How does Jesus want us to use these buildings? Who does…
-
What’s My Purpose?
What’s your purpose? What are your particular “roles,” and how does your sense of purpose align with your list of commitments, obligations, and duties? What is your identity? Who are you, when all of the external trappings are stripped away? What does it look like for you to “be,” and…
-
“I am” or “I am not”
When I’m specifically asked about my association with Jesus – by friend or foe – I want my response to be consistently faith-affirming, truth-filled, love-laced, unwavering, and invitational!
-
Anticipated Restoration
I find remarkable comfort and encouragement in these stories from Holy Week. If Jesus couldn’t find twelve better disciples than these, then maybe there’s hope for me and my ministry. If Jesus, knowing the disciples would fall short when he needed them, still planned to forgive and restore them afterward,…
-
Lent, Yoga etiquette, and other opportunities for growth…
If we could just accept that everyone is doing the best they can – given their maturity, morality, manners, etc. – perhaps we would have more reasonable expectations and be a bit slower to judge.
-
The Conversion of a Recovering Spiritual Realist
As of today, I’m going to try a spiritual experiment. For the next weeks, months or maybe even years, I’m going to intentionally focus my prayers on what Nouwen calls my “beloved-ness.” I’m going to strive to keep my eyes and ears, my mind and soul focused on anything and…
vancerains.com 