Connections 11.26.2023: Grace and Goodness

It’s Thanksgiving week, which means many of us will gather with some of the people we love best in the world, and we’ll eat amazing favorite foods, and we’ll share the things we’re grateful for, and we’ll celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season.

Formations 11.26.2023: Mountaintop Experiences

The Bible never uses the exact wording of a “mountaintop experience,” but it is certainly the origin of that expression.

A Bit of Hell

“I’m a fake,” she said.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I mean that I get up and I teach my Sunday school class when I don’t even know if I believe what I’m teaching anymore.”

Flame: LEGO Prayers

This prayer activity is suitable for groups of children or even a whole congregation as long as you have enough bricks. Have an adult or child to lead the prayers for each group, however big.

Crossroads: Using What God Gives You

I’m a good organizer and I like to plan events, but I didn’t realize how these gifts would help me in ministry. I had planned on being an accountant, but God had other plans for me.

Formations 11.19.2023: Completing the Work

I’ve never been a member of a church that built a new facility. But I have been a member of a church that renovated older buildings.

Connections 11.19.2023: Peace and Security

Most of us don’t know very much about the ancient history of the region that many faith groups consider to be holy land.

Meeting Christ in Rest

We treat rest like it is something we must earn, rather than something that we require for health and happiness.

Laughter Matters: Finding Levity in a Heavy World

A couple of weeks ago, my sister Laurie called from her home in Houston to check on us. We talked about our families and did some “catching up,” and then she started telling me a funny story.

Crossroads: Tell Me the Story

I grew up in church. For as far back as I can remember, I had Sunday school teachers telling me about Jesus and how much God loves us. My preacher knew who I was and he told me about Jesus too. My mom told me about Jesus and my grandparents told me about Jesus. I knew that I was surrounded by God’s love.

Formations 11.12.2023: Bigger than Us

In the Middle Ages, the building of cathedrals represented both a profound expression of faith and a channel for the creative energies of countless artisans.

Connections 11.12.2023: Just Be Nice

Anyone who has been around small children probably speaks a familiar refrain: “Be nice.”