The church in North America has gone through some discouraging years. While growth in spiritual conversions has taken place in a few congregations, the vast majority of churches have experienced stagnation, even decline in their numbers. It seems to be difficult to get people’s attention in the midst of so many distractions, and while some [...]
Category: ACCI
Lambs among Wolves
When Jesus appointed 72 representatives to go out two-by-two into all the villages where He would go later, He gave them logistical instructions about where to stay and what to take with them. He also told them what their work would consist of—they were to heal the sick and tell everyone that the kingdom of [...]
The Blues
Do you ever get “the blues”? I don’t mean the serious condition of clinical depression that some people are afflicted with. I’m talking about the garden variety of everyday blues … the feelings that come on you unbidden but are generally linked to some sad new developments in your life. When things are going great [...]
Youthful Presumptions, June 2010
Youthful Presumptions In 1964 Bob Dylan wrote a song called “My Back Pages.” His humorous look at the presumptions of those who haven’t lived long enough to know that life is more often gray than black and white is brilliantly insightful. He ends each stanza of the song with the statement: “Ah, but I was [...]
Bruised Reeds, April 2010
Bruised Reeds Spring is a delightful time, no matter how early or late it comes. Sitting on our back deck in the mornings, I can watch a whole new world opening up around me as shrubs and flowers burst forth with dazzling colors and delightful fragrances. Another joy of springtime is the return of the [...]
Love in Action, Feb. 2010
Love in Action “Love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams.” FYODOR DOSTOEVSKI This is the month when everyone’s mind turns to love and romance. I’ve never been convinced that Valentine’s Day would be as popular as it is without the exchange of chocolate, though. Isn’t it amazing how [...]
Exceedingly Thankful? Nov. 2009
Exceedingly Thankful? This is the time of year when we turn our hearts towards giving thanks. The poor atheist has a hard time finding someone to thank for all of his blessings, so he makes due with thanking himself for all his hard work and accomplishments. For myself, I look to God first when I [...]
Calling Back your encouragement, Oct. 2009
Call Back Your Encouragement We’re in this together ... and I mean that literally. We know and serve Jesus together, not as separate and individual entities. This is why Jesus began the Lord’s Prayer with “Our Father.” He wanted to point out that we share a common gene pool. We’re all sons and daughters of [...]
Staying Clean, Sept. 2009
Staying Clean If most of us were honest, we’d rank going to the dentist almost dead last on our list of preferred activities. Oh sure, we’d be quick to admit that it’s important and helpful to us. And if we’re smart, and have dental insurance, we make the effort to go on a regular basis. [...]
The Reason, August 2009
The Reason I love to read about John the Baptist. Bold and fearless, and obviously unconcerned about how others viewed him (who else in that day was wearing a coat of camel’s hair and eating locusts for meat?), John was one of a kind. Jesus said of him, “Among those born of women there is [...]
Adventuring with God 