'living' Tagged Posts
Too Many Christian Books
This morning I attended what I imagine is only the first of many school concerts I will attend as my boys grow up and work their way through the schooling system. I was as proud as any parent in the room (every seat was taken) as I sat beside my wife and younger boy Thomas and watched Oliver sing and try to do the actions on time (especially proud that he wasn’t the kid in the front row center picking…
Sometimes We Need to Pray but We Don’t Know What to Say
At our session meeting last week, we had a robust discussion. (For those who might not know, ‘session’ is the official name of the gathering of our congregational leaders, the elders. They are sort of like a board, but with pastoral responsibilities.) It was a very good discussion and one, I thought, in which the wisdom of the people was permitted a voice and in which we witnessed the power of communal discernment. It was, shall we say, something like…
5 Conversations to Have Before Christmas Punches You in the Gut
Worried about Christmas? So are many people. Some are worried about how much money this is going to cost. Others wonder how loud and obnoxious their relatives can be. Some fear their marriage might reach the breaking point over the next few stressful weeks. I know you say that you aren’t worried about how well dressed your kids are, but I too have kids and so I know that no matter what we believe and what we say, Christmas is…
A Woot-Woot of Thanks
This weekend the generous spirit of the church I serve humbled me. Scripture speaks more of money than just about any other daily topic and many churches are scared to talk about it, many preachers are scared to ask for it, and many congregants are reluctant to part with it. I regularly hear stories of churches where the minister is stuck, hamstrung and unable to be “effective” because they cannot get the funds to put into place any of the…