This weekend I'm teaching on the opening lines of the Lord's Prayer: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." A few random thoughts (and hopefully they won't be so random this weekend): The prayer begins with the word "our" and the community/relational aspect continues throughout the remainder of the prayer. "Give us this day ..." "Deliver us from evil ..." The way Jesus teaches us to address God is a radical departure from the way the religious leaders of his day prayed. Beyond the generic sense of "God created everyone" therefore he's our Father, when we accept his gift of salvation we are "adopted" into his family. He becomes our Father by choice, not by accident. The word "hallowed" has survived in most English translations from the time of the King James (1611) through the New International Version (1970's) even though it is not used much in common conversation.…
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No one really enjoys ambiguity. As I work with fellow leaders, I've learned that one of the greatest gifts a leader brings to those around him is a sense of clarity. When we are clear on our vision/mission/objectives/responsibilities ... we are free to focus and achieve. A lack of clarity not only confuses but paralyzes even the most capable people. How do you get to clarity? Ask questions. If something is unclear, ask for the other person to explain it another way. Ask for examples. Repeat back to the person what you are understanding them to say. When possible, write it down. Establish benchmarks. We may not be able to visualize the end result but perhaps we can see the quarter-mile marker just up ahead. Don't assume. If you're unsure whether or not a person is understanding you, ask them. If you're not sure if they have an appreciation of…
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I go through these phases when I decide to cut my own hair ... partly to save money, partly because it's convenient. Wielding electric clippers with attachments, I park myself in front of the bathroom mirror and begin crafting a work of art. Most of the time, it's pretty straightforward and the end result is acceptable. I've often thought of warming up a towel, placing it on my face, and pretending I'm in one of those fancy salons ... but that would feel a bit weird if someone walked in. Along the way, I've learned a few lessons: Have someone you trust trim the back. This is as true for life as it is for haircuts. Always trim longer than you think you want it. You can always go shorter but adding length is impossible. Try to not to trim your hair after drinking mass quantities of coffee. One little…
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Confession: I'm not drawn to reading fiction like some people are. My reading interests trend towards history, political science, business, and, of course, faith-related issues. Not to mention Dilbert. But over the last few years I've made myself read more fiction. Why? I believe I need to. Allow me to explain ... As one tasked with the responsibility of communicating on a regular basis, I have found that reading fiction improves my ability to practice creative imagination. In two ways: in preparation and in delivery. Much of the Biblical text is narrative, or stories. Stories that involve human drama and emotions. Yet the Bible doesn't tell us that the stone David slung at Goliath "whizzed" through the air or produced a loud "thud" upon impact, but it probably did. Or, what was it like to be Moses and to be standing alongside two towering walls of water when God parted…
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Tomorrow I have the privilege of preaching at LifeChurch in Aurora, CO, a church plant that began in 2008. Todd Sinclair, the lead pastor, and I share common threads in our background: we both lived and worked in San Diego at the same time, though we didn't know each other back then. Having planted a church myself (yay LifePoint!), I am honored to be speaking at another church plant. Simply put, I love church plants and church planters. I love the sense of mission that hangs in the air. I get energized watching the spiritually disconnected get connected. I enjoy the questions a searching soul asks. There is something special watching a person "get it." Starting new churches is the single most effective way to reach those who are spiritually adrift. Having lived it, I honestly believe that's true. We need more men and women who will help start new…
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