Contemplative

It always comes up. In conversations around my friends at the seminary, as everyone this time of year is trying to sort out what we're going to be doing next, and many of my friends are desperately searching for jobs, the question is almost always asked: Why would you want to do youth ministry? People have a hard time believing that I would enjoy dodgeball (I do), and week long mission trips…

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Why do we pray?

People’s questions about prayer are often about “how do I pray?” What techniques can I use to make my prayer time more meaningful? A better first question is “why do I pray?” All of the instructions and techniques are of little value until we wrestle with why we pray in the first place. If we only explore the how and not the why we will have another thing that we can do but little understanding of the re…

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Good Friday

After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I am thirsty". A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:28-30) Have…

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Betrayal

"But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table. For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!" Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this. (Luke 22:21-23) What do you think about when you think of Jesus? Is he a chummy kind of guy, someone that you would invite to a…

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Talents

But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. (Matthew 25:18) I am constantly amazed at talented people, particularly the folks around our congregation that are extremely talented. Some of us are talented with art. Others with finance and business decisions. Some of us are really great cooks. Still others are wonderful hosts to…

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