November 2010 – Page 4 – 300 words a day

starting today

When you walk into our house you see a framed piece of calligraphy. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve,” it starts in King James English. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” It’s a couple of sentences from a longer speech by Joshua. Near the end of his life, […]

by Jon Swanson

Helping each other grow

The other night we were talking about being disciples. I had asked, “What would a group of people committed to helping each other be disciples and make disciples do?” And we were talking about we would do. So I asked, “In the course of a week, how would they help each other?” I enjoyed the […]

by Jon Swanson

Show and tell

(Today is a guest post from Rich Dixon who frequently helps me think in the comments.) I’m challenged by Jon’s recent articles about prayer. For some reason, I thought about show-and-tell. Remember show-and-tell? Bring an object (or person or pet) to class and explain why it’s important. Like all good communication, show-and-tell felt vulnerable. You […]

by Paul Merrill

Way to listen

(Paul Merrill writes here every First Friday.) “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.’ ” (Psalm 20:7) That’s a great way to start a day. Or end a day. David, the guy who wrote those words, preceded those thoughts by saying, “Hear me […]

by Jon Swanson

5 ways David journaled prayer.

The other day, Megin wondered about journaling prayer. I think it’s a great question. I think that sometimes, David prayed with a pen. The book of Psalms includes some of those prayers. They reflect honesty and vulnerablity. They aren’t pretty or polite. But neither is good conversation. 1. With a loud frustrated voice. I cry […]