Our Church and COVID-19
As of last night, twelve confirmed cases of COVID-19 (a coronavirus) are reported in Michigan. While these small numbers may seem to pose little threat to us, national and international data points toward a growing, long-term risk of infection.
The elderly and medically fragile are especially among those for whom we must all exercise great caution. After much prayer, research, discussion with medical professionals, and consultation with other area pastors, the following represents our goals and action steps for this coming weekend of mission conference sessions and worship services. However, this is a fluid situation. We will provide updates as necessary. . . .
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I’m Always Thinking…
On hot summer days, I’d sit on the floor at my Aunt Donna’s house and listen as she played the piano and wrote music or go to my grandma’s house to spend the night, and wake up to the pungent scent of Folgers in the morning. But then another part of me thinks about the hard stuff . . .
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Feeling Icy Tears
This person replied, “How old are you?”
“Thirty-eight,” I said…trying to maintain my smile.
They exclaimed, “Well, that’s too old anyway.” . . . .
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The Church Must Die
During our recent journey through the Gospel of Mark, God has gripped my heart with a vision of truth and a clarity that I can’t shake.
Our church needs to die.
We could even say the Church – every Jesus-following, gospel-breathing, Bible-proclaiming ekklesia – must die.
Our pastors need to die.
Our elders need to die.
Our deacons need to die.
All the members need to die.
For as long as we’re clutching onto our lives, we’ll never live. Read on…. .
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An MLK Day Prayer
On this Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I’m reminded in a fresh way of the freedom-trail he paved for us, yet also how far we still have to go in 2020 America. Words of hate, attitudes of vitriol, and cultural postures of racial division over-against reconciliation appear to be on-the-rise. So on this evening of remembrance, let’s rehearse a few poignant truth-sayings from Martin Luther King and then pause to pray together. For it’s only through the power of God that real, lasting change can occur in the hearts of humankind.
From his pen…
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
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When Christmas Isn’t Merry
Because He can handle it all. . .
He gave me my joy, and He can carry my pain.
He sits with me in my mess and loves me anyway.
