(Continued from yesterday) Paul realized that his success had come working against God. Paul realized that God didn’t want his hard work. Paul realized that God wanted him. Relationship with him. Conversation with him. Reconciliation with him. God wanted Paul to know him. To know that the love of God isn’t measured out in scoops […]

I always want to do the perfect sermon. I want to study enough and polish enough. I want to find the right words and the perfect story. I want God to be proud of my work. Or actually, I don’t want God to be mad at me. I don’t want to get in trouble with […]

God, Can we call you that? Can we start that way?Do we have to say, “Dear God” in order for you to hear us?Or is it “Dear Jesus” or “Dear God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth”? Do we have to tell you everything we have done wrong before we can ask you for something […]

I’ve written here about presence, particularly the presence of God. Presence: and grief Presence: and conversation Presence: and me Those post are part of a series I wrote when I was teaching a course on Pastoral Care. The idea that God is present with us is significant. Not fixing things, not doing what we want, […]

Rich Dixon asks another important question. +++ Last time, I omitted the question that opened our team discussion about risk. Is it worth the risk? Unless you’re a teenage male, risk/reward analysis is likely a normal part of life. + + + Jesus advised his followers to count the cost of following. I used to […]