Thanksgiving Still

Thanks for another week of coming to the prayer tent. Thanks for another week of enabling me to come to the tent. It wasn’t that I was feeling a need for another week. There were some issues, some questions I was still struggling with, sure. But these had been nagging at me for months if [...]

Candles Burning in the Night

Several posts on this blog have included quotes from Henri Nouwen. I once heard Nouwen speak at an event for ministers at a veterans hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. You could have heard a pin drop as he quietly shared some of his story and hard-won wisdom with the thousand or so clergy that were [...]

Surrounded

Last night Sharon and I finished watching the PBS series John Adams, based on David McCullough’s biography of Adams. We were both struck by the ruggedness of 18th century America. Life was hard and harsh for the wealthy and powerful as well as for the poor and powerless. Imagine going through surgery without anesthesia, or [...]

Agreeing in the Lord

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is generally quite positive. He doesn’t address any theological hot button issues. This is a church community that has sacrificially supported his ministry and joined him as “partners” in the gospel, risking their lives and livelihoods to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s a good, solid, healthy church, [...]

An Uncommon Prayer

I sense that our 24/7 prayer week is going well. From comments and notes that I’ve read and heard, I gather that God is meeting many of you and speaking into your life. I read one prayer on “the wall” that spoke to me this morning.

Christ Before Me

It feels good to be in the Prayer Tent again. Very good. I appreciate the new elements Rob added around “call.” Yesterday I sensed God speaking into my life through each of these visuals. For example, the visual for the places we live out our call is a compass. My take on it is that [...]

Authenticity Anyone?

The election results are in. I congratulate Mr. Obama on his victory and wish him well. I pray that he will ‘act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with his God’ (Micah 6:8). I pray especially for the miracle of humility.
Meanwhile, the kingdom of God moves on. Next Sunday we’ll be starting another 24/7 prayer [...]

Pre-election Ruminations

It’s been a long time since I’ve been so interested in an election, though tactics used by both parties can make all this feel more like a two-ring circus or sporting event than a presidential campaign. My purpose for writing this post isn’t to weigh in on either of the candidates, but rather to articulate [...]