I’m glad to be a part of a church community that cares deeply about the whole world, and is not wrapped up in thinking we exist for ourselves. I’m glad to be a part of a church community that is looking to be holistic in …
Read MoreWhy Give Regularly?
Talking about money is not always the easiest thing to do in a church. But last Sunday, that was our theme. Here’s what I shared.
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I follow many things, mostly blogs, in Google Reader. (I used to be a Bloglines guy, but I’m finding that Google has placed a lot of time and money into making their stuff work really great with the iPhone, so I’m more and more being …
Read MoreSt. Gregory of Nazianzus
I was just telling my kids this week that the “Gregorys” from history were popes, and none of them were all that great. But I forgot about the desert fathers! And here’s a great Christmas sermon from my namesake from Nazianzus: Christ is born, glorify …
Read MoreSt. John Chrysostom
John became Archbishop of Constantinople, known as the “golden mouthed”…this is what “Chrysostom” means. It will not be difficult to see where this name came from. What shall I say to you; what shall I tell you? I behold a Mother who has brought forth; …
Read MoreSt. Augustine of Hippo
The pastors and theologians of the early church caught on quickly to the paradox and the beauty of the incarnation. He is the One through whom all things have been made, and, on Christmas, Who has been made in the midst of all things… He …
Read MoreSt. Isaac the Syrian
Seminary friend Tony Jones posted the first Christmas sermon (by St. John Chrysostom in AD. 386), and that sent me on a big hunt to see what else the ancient church fathers and mothers have said about Christmas. Wow. I’ll probably use some of these …
Read MoreMerry Christmas, Everyone!
Here in soggy Newberg Oregon, we’ve been frozen up for about a week. Tonight the table on our deck has 9 inches of snow, by far the most I’ve ever seen here. School’s been closed, things at the office have been mellow…and I asked Elaine …
Read MoreSpend Less…Advent Conspiracy
The biggest “sting” of the conspiracy is to fight back against the power of consumerism and worship God fully. One way to do that is to spend less on Christmas gifts…not just because it’s a good or prudent thing to do, but as a way …
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