My wife and I recently watched the television series, New Amsterdam. It’s about a public hospital in New York City. The main character Max Goodwin is the medical director, and he asks a question repeatedly in nearly every episode of the series. (He might ask it in every episode! I didn’t keep track.). His question, which I’ll revealContinue reading “A powerful question for church families – Caring for one another, Part 3”
Tag Archives: religion
Be thankful for your messy church family – Caring for one another, Part 2
Are there awkward people in your church family? Perhaps people who talk your ear off, over-sharing, while you’re struggling to find a way to get out of the conversation in which they have done 95% of the talking, and it’s going on 30 minutes with no end in sight. Perhaps there are the people who have RBFContinue reading “Be thankful for your messy church family – Caring for one another, Part 2”
God hates visionary dreamers? – Caring for one another, Part 1
I want to begin with a shocking quote. At least I think it is shocking. See if you think it is shocking. Here is the quote: “God hates visionary dreamers.” How do you feel about that statement? “God hates visionary dreamers.” Thumbs up or Thumbs down? Thumbs down, right? The concept of visionary dreamers seemsContinue reading “God hates visionary dreamers? – Caring for one another, Part 1”
Overcoming “I don’t care” – Caring for one another, Preview
Ever been involved in a conversation like this in your home? Person #1: “What would you like for dinner tonight?” Person #2: “I don’t care. I’m okay with whatever.” Person #1: “But I need you to give me something to go on. What are you hungry for?” Person #2: “Seriously. Anything. I don’t care. WhateverContinue reading “Overcoming “I don’t care” – Caring for one another, Preview”
How can you spend more time praying with others? – Praying together, Part 5
The enduring practice of the earliest Christians was gathering for prayer. It was essential to their meeting together. They didn’t just demonstrate praying together, they also taught it. Consider a few passages that provide a foundation for churches to gather for prayer. Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” 2Continue reading “How can you spend more time praying with others? – Praying together, Part 5”
The effect of church families gathering for prayer – Praying together, Part 4
The first Christians spent the better part of three years observing Jesus’ practice of prayer. They heard him teach about prayer. Years later when they instinctively gather for prayer over and over and over, they demonstrate for us their commitment to do what Jesus did and taught. In Acts 4, as we saw in the previous post,Continue reading “The effect of church families gathering for prayer – Praying together, Part 4”
Prayer as an instinct – Praying Together, Part 3
I visited my son, daughter-in-law, and two grandkids in Pittsburgh recently. Though my kids live in Lancaster, my granddaughter was born four hours away in Pittsburgh because she has a heart condition. So I got to meet her for the first time in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of UPMC Children’s Hospital. She was hookedContinue reading “Prayer as an instinct – Praying Together, Part 3”
What happened when the first Christians gathered for prayer – Praying together, Part 2
In the previous post, we observed the prayer meeting the followers of Jesus held right after he ascended back to his father in heaven. The book of Acts tells us that at the 10-14 mark of their nonstop prayer meeting, something powerful happened. Look at Acts chapter 2, verses 1-4: “When the day of PentecostContinue reading “What happened when the first Christians gathered for prayer – Praying together, Part 2”
What kind of prayer meetings does God desire? – Praying together, Part 1
Do you remember the Asbury outpouring that happened last year? From February 8, 2023, all the way to February 24th, 2023, that’s 17 days, there was a continuous, 24/7, worship and prayer event at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. Throughout history there have been numerous such extended prayer efforts. In fact, the International House ofContinue reading “What kind of prayer meetings does God desire? – Praying together, Part 1”
Why I decided to cancel our church’s weekly prayer meeting, and why I told people I would not start it back up – Praying together, Preview
When I started as Faith Church’s Youth/Associate Pastor in 2002, Faith Church held weekly Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening worship and Wednesday prayer meeting. A few years later the Sunday evening service had dwindled to the point where maybe a handful of people attended, and we canceled it. At that time Wednesday prayer meeting wasContinue reading “Why I decided to cancel our church’s weekly prayer meeting, and why I told people I would not start it back up – Praying together, Preview”
Engaging Scripture 