Prayer Note #27 — Lord of All

Lord of heaven, Lord of earth, Lord of all time, Lord of this moment, Lord of all things living and Lord of my own beating heart, I want you to be my Lord.  I want my fleeting thoughts to be from you and for you.  I want you to be the head waters of my … Continue reading Prayer Note #27 — Lord of All

Sermon #2 — Exodus 16:1-35

This is now the second sermon in a series on the manna and quail of the wilderness journey.  In this sermon, I explore how the values and priorities of ancient paganism aren't all that far away from the modern, westerner's wrestling with faith. Here's a link to the text of Exodus 16:1-35. Here's the link … Continue reading Sermon #2 — Exodus 16:1-35

Prayer Note #26 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer

Lord, my emotions are squirming around in me in a very uncomfortable way.  I know that that is caused by a wide range of pressures, stressors, foolish thoughts, genuine problems, and a real sense of overload, of having more things in my mind than I can keep track of.  Important matters are slipping through my … Continue reading Prayer Note #26 — A Pastor’s Sunday Morning Prayer

Prayer Note #25 — A Pastor’s Prayer for Sunday Morning Worship

Father, we gather today to worship you.  That is our identity not merely an action that we take.  We are the people who worship you, O blessed and singular Trinity.  Nurture that identity in us.  Enter our being as a people and as persons and by your Holy Spirit infuse that true identity deep within … Continue reading Prayer Note #25 — A Pastor’s Prayer for Sunday Morning Worship

Prayer Note #24 — Haggling With God–Genesis 18:16-33

In its simplest sense, prayer is conversing with God.  The Bible contains lots and lots of conversations between God and human beings.  Each one has its own character and tone.  Some are quiet and gentle.  Some are angry.  Some are frightened and frightening.  Some are simply fascinating and surprising.  This conversation between God and Abraham … Continue reading Prayer Note #24 — Haggling With God–Genesis 18:16-33

Prayer Note #23 — A Bible Study on Prayer, Psalm 84:1-12

The Bible has a lot to say about prayer.  Some of the places where we find wisdom and instruction on prayer don't actually use the word much or even at all.  In Psalm 84, the word, "prayer," appears once, yet the entire psalm is about communing with God.  And communing with God is certainly the … Continue reading Prayer Note #23 — A Bible Study on Prayer, Psalm 84:1-12

Pastor Note #25 — Words of “Wisdom” from One of the Old Guys

Today, I received an e-mail from my seminary alma mater, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.  It was sent out to all of their alumni, inviting them to share some "words of wisdom" for those who will be graduating in about a month.  Since that sounded like a lot more fun than what I was supposed to be … Continue reading Pastor Note #25 — Words of “Wisdom” from One of the Old Guys

Prayer Note #22 — The God of All Things

My Lord, you are the brightness of light warming the darkness and gloom.  You are the great sweeping vista, when I feel stifled and suffocated and trapped.  You are the verdant, well-forested hills that embrace me and hide me, when I fell exposed and vulnerable.  You are the bubbling spring in the desert, the firm, … Continue reading Prayer Note #22 — The God of All Things

Pastor Note #24 — Getting in the Habit of God

Some things you must understand in order to do them.  Surgery is one example of that principle that comes to mind.  Conversely, some things you must do in order to understand them.  Fasting is a prime example of this latter principle. From an intellectual perspective fasting is hard to understand.  All sorts of plausible reasons … Continue reading Pastor Note #24 — Getting in the Habit of God

Prayer Note #21 — On a Muggy Day by a Lake

Creator of all beauty, I sit here beside Keuka Lake at the end of a hot day.  But now at 7:30 P.M., with the sun setting behind me and a huge volume of cool water just in front of my, I feel the cooling of the air and a kid of freshness settling over me.  … Continue reading Prayer Note #21 — On a Muggy Day by a Lake