Relationships

The Epistle of Jeremiah the Prophet to the Modern Church – Historically Prodigal

I can remember it like it was yesterday. I think almost everyone who attended Sunday school during the sixties and seventies has a memory of the high tech presentation systems used to etch memories in the minds of the young people who never missed a week. In fairness to this generation, attendance was not high because of the quality of storytelling but rather the willingness of a parent to use soap or the back of their hand to quickly put an end to any attempt to present an alternate to the fast paced drama that would unfold on the felt board every Sunday morning. We were told they were parables but we cared more about pulling the hair of the girl in the row in front of us or throwing a paper airplane at the teacher’s head. The felt board was a marvel of modern artistry but the stories got old really quick.

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The Innocence of Youth

I am disgusted when I hear these words coming out of my mouth. I promised myself I would never think them, never believe them and most importantly never say them. Now I find myself not only thinking, believing and saying them but also living my life based on them. In my youth someone would start a sentence with these words and I would shut down. It didn’t matter if what followed was true, profound, brilliant and life changing, I never listened long enough to find out. Now I find myself saying these same words. What follows them may be identical to those who spoke them before, I really don’t know as I didn’t listen, but what I do know is…

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Biblical Math

Let me make this very clear, I am not into numerology. I do not think there is a Bible code to be deciphered that when fully understood and applied releases hidden power or reveals dates and times of future events hidden in the scriptures. I do however, believe there is a mathematical equation that, when understood, reveals formulas for the creation of church the way God intended church to be.

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Hurt People Hurt People

In our quest to comprehend the words and actions that negatively impacted us, many have embraced this simple explanation, hurt people hurt people. Armed with this insight we find it easier to offer grace, easier to forgive because it is easier to work through the offence when there is a reason out of our control and the control of the offender. We accept that we will be repeatedly hurt by hurt people. We see their actions as a result of their life experience not a response to us. We find comfort in the fact that we are Christ-like in our grace and not affected by others who have unintentionally hurt us because they are hurt. If hurt people hurt people, then our forgiveness may not be enough.

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I Am A Quitter

The words shocked me. They were untrue descriptors of me but still I was left wounded. I had uttered the words, “I feel like quitting,” in a private conversation during which I expressed my deepest sadness. What should have remained private was now being revisited in a public forum, entered as evidence in what was no more than a kangaroo court along with other out of context quotes. This truly wasn’t going to end well for me. “You are a quitter. You told me you felt like quitting so you are a quitter.” The mock trial ended and I left for my car. I took my painkillers as I had so many times before so I could endure the hour and forty five minute drive home and began my journey.

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