imagining how the church can reorient around mission

There’s been a ton of talk recently about what is happening at Asbury University. It’s been called a “revival” by some. It’s been called an “awakening” by others. To be sure, something extraordinary happened. The last thing I want to do is take away from the wonder of what transpired. It is marvelous and has seemingly impacted tons of people.

But, there is a revival going on in our church community (Immanuel Church, Spokane), as well. read more

When I read this today, I thought to myself, “Has she seen my desk, my bedroom, my house?”

“Wherever I have lived my room and soon
the entire house is filled with books;
poems, stories, histories, prayers of
all kinds stand up gracefully or are
heaped on shelves, on the floor, on
the bed. Strangers old the new offering
their words bountifully and thoughtfully,
lifting my heart.

“But, wait! I have made a mistake! How
could these makers of so many books
that have given so much to my life –
how could they possibly be strangers?

Mary Oliver, Upstream

You could conjecture a couple of things from the picture. One, I love books (even look under the desk). If you could scan my room, it is as if my life is held together by them. Two, there is not just a little chaos in my world. Sometimes good, sometimes…well, it’s chaotic. 🙂

The following are prayers we offered at Immanuel this morning, the 2nd Sunday of Lent. The text this morning was Mark 8:27-38. Feel free to pray along with us. Peace.

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A beautiful and moving prayer from Walter Brueggemann that I used in my sermon this morning.

Before the Day is Out  read more

                    A prayer written while flying yesterday… 

You are so gracious…though holy, you give and accept. read more

A short prayer from my time at St. Gertude's

A view from the Monastery

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During one of the directed prayer times at CA’s North American Connect conference recently held in Minneapolis, MN, we were directed to reflect on the concept of magnifying God.  What does it mean to magnify some thing?  Here is the short prayer reflection that I wrote:

An ocean of grace and more read more

      Dear Jesus, we tremble at the thought of you speaking these words to us. What could be more sobering and tragic than to hear you say, “You talk about me a whole lot, using plenty of spiritual language and Bible quotes. You’re very quick to recognize and correct false teaching. You’re even quite zealous to apply what you know to others. But your heart is very far from me.”

via thegospelcoalition.org

I found this linked on my friend and colleague, Steve Hart's FB. I thought it was important, hopeful and well worth pushing out further.  Thanks Steve (and author, Scotty Smith).

Oh God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;

When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless; read more

 In the waves of motion, and chaos there is your peace,

In the aloneness, there is your breath, your wind upon me, read more