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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While reading a post about worship leading, I was struck by this line: Recognize that God’s words outlast ours. While the post was written for worship leaders, the same holds true for those of us who preach and teach. Our goal is not to get people to think, "Wow, that was clever!" Our goal is to help them interact with the living God who has the power to transform their lives. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12
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This past week in Denver has seen the weather go from snow to a balmy 70 degrees back to snow and now ... rain. Technically, I believe we are in the spring season. One of the things I appreciate about the different seasons is the rhythm it brings to life. Spring marks the return of baseball and fall brings the changing of the colors. Summer is for cookouts and day trips. Winter is for ... well ... shoveling. We also experience seasons in our spiritual lives. We may find ourselves in a season of growth or it may be a season of simply holding on. It may be a season of new awakenings. Or a season of uncertainty. What season best describes your spiritual life right now: Winter, spring, summer or fall? And what are you learning?
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