According to the records we have in the book of Acts, nobody had better single day evangelistic event than Peter. According to Acts 2, 3,000 people were baptized and their numbers continued to grow daily. In pastoral, and literal, terms, he was a a”big fisherman.” Peter was a big vision type of leader, declaring Joel 2:28-32 to be happening as he spoke. With that resume builder, one might think that Peter would continue to be the driving force through the Acts narrative, but instead it transitions to Paul. Continue reading Peters, Pauls, and Timothys
The Spiritual Exercises: The Pre-work Warm-up
The Purpose
The purpose of The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius are “to help one to discard disordered attachments and through this means to order one’s life toward God, without coming to a decision from some disordered attachment pleasing more to self than to God” (Ignatius in Ganss, 1992). As I have just completed seminary and am looking for a place to engage in full-time ministry, going through the Exercises at this time is opportune.
Continue reading The Spiritual Exercises: The Pre-work Warm-up
My Spiritual Exercises
Today I finally received a copy of The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius from Paperback Swap. I have been intrigued by the Jesuit Order probably since I first saw a Jesuit missionary portrayed in a movie, and could not be sure if he was a good guy or bad guy. I chose to do a brief study (which I have included below) of the Jesuits and Ignatius for research in the Global Christian History course at Wesley Seminary.
Love Wins, but the next guy looses
I am cross posting with David Drury today.
The pulpit at Mars Hill Church is once again open. This got me thinking about the advantages and disadvantages of replacing an effective and popular leader.
Choices of Faith
Scot McKnight has an interesting post over at Jesus Creed on “How the Copts Pick a Pope.” I encourage you to read the article for yourself, but to sum up the process, a group of clergy and some laity get together and whittle down the candidates, who must meet certain minimum requirements, to three. The final choice is one of faith, as the name of the new pope is drawn by lot by an impartial blindfolded child. Continue reading Choices of Faith
Book Review: The Christian Atheist
I first saw a copy of The Christian Atheist sitting on my mom’s counter. “Hmm,” I said. Mom replied, “I picked that up because the title seemed interesting. It made me think.” That was enough of an endorsement for me, not realizing that the author, Craig Groeschel (Grow-SHELL) is the pastor of LifeChurch. It is also a reminder to me, that when I get my first book contract, I need to fight for a catchy title.
“And now, the last . . .”
The final lesson Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez has for Connor ‘The Highlander‘ MacLeod is to feel what is going on around him. I suppose that is where I am now. As I approach my final week-long intensive course for completing my M.Div. at Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University I should process some feelings. Continue reading “And now, the last . . .” After Seminary Reading List
I have gotten to read some excellent books during my three years in seminary, but I am also looking forward to having some free time to choose what I will read. I have started building my After Seminary Reading List. Continue reading After Seminary Reading List
Call to Worship: Inaugural Events (Palm Sunday)
When the United States elects a president for a first term, I find the inauguration fascinating. People line the streets and cheer, some because they simply honor the office and this might be their one chance to see the president of the United States of America, while others add to it their hope. The candidate they voted for has won, and this is a celebration of a new era. Those who did not vote for the president still watch the ceremony on television, and wonder what the next four years will bring. We attach symbolism to whether the new president walks or rides in a car down Pennsylvania Avenue, the chosen guest speakers and performers, and the president’s first official act, often signing a piece of legislation or policy.
Call to Worship: What Can We Become
As we live our lives, every once in a while we find ourselves in these moments of epiphany, where we see more clearly who God is, and in that light, what we can become. I have a great father, but I did not really fully appreciate why God is called “Our Father” in the Bible until I became a father. Through my relationship with my daughter, I see how loving God is, and how loving I can become; both are greater than I previously imagined. Continue reading Call to Worship: What Can We Become