If I had to choose the one travel experience that has made the greatest impression on me, I would have to go with the summer I spent in Shanghai, China. It was the first time I had ever traveled out of the country, and with fresh passport in hand I raced […]
Read more "Throwback Thursday – Shanghai Summer"“A visually-oriented culture needs a visually-oriented church if it is to evangelize effectively and to give the congregation a culturally up-to-date experience.” – John E. Skillen From the beginning, great art has always been inspired by religion and religious ceremonies have been greatly enhanced through worshipful art. It is a relationship which simply makes sense, […]
Read more "Putting Art (Back) In Its Place… A Book in Review"“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass – it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Vivian Greene During the Summer of 2005 I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of climbing the Great Wall of China – and it rained. As we trudged across the slippery stones, I remember feeling a […]
Read more "Singing in the Rain – The Choice to Worship"“But today I am freeing you from the chains on your wrists.” Jeremiah 40:4 Sometimes we become so familiar with declaring the name of Jesus in times of prayer and worship that we forget what power lies in this name. And every once in a while, He’ll allow us to be part […]
Read more "Breaking Chains"“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t… When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” John Piper – “Let […]
Read more "Worshipful Wednesday – Mankind’s Single Greatest Activity"Sometimes it amazes me to see how much my young children can teach me about genuinely worshipping with a pure heart. The other day my three-year-old son was babbling as I rolled him through Wal-Mart in my grocery cart. We had just celebrated his birthday, and I guess you could say he was on […]
Read more "“Happy Birthday, Daddy” – What My 3-Year-Old Taught Me About Worship"If I were asked to sum up the rich meaning of Christmas in one word, it would be “Emmanuel.” This year, more than any other, I’ve found myself surrounded by this name in Christmas songs and on Christmas cards, and I just haven’t been able to keep my mind off of reflecting on […]
Read more "Emmanuel – Christmas in a Nutshell"Having someone watch your every move is typically considered to be a negative experience, but it’s not so with God. Knowing that He watches us each moment, knows our every thought, and guides our every step brings an incredible sense of joy and lasting peace. This past Sunday morning my wife and I led […]
Read more "Thankful for His Watchfulness"A senior adult shared the above cartoon with me a few weeks ago. He thought it was funny, but I wasn’t laughing. I’ve also heard a guest speaker at a ministry luncheon tell a similar joke, and while the older adults in the room laughed away, I noticed that all of the young people […]
Read more "Worship War Weariness"It is no accident that Sunday mornings, which are to be set aside for quiet reverence and intimate worship with God, always end up feeling frantic and exhausting. Yesterday was no different. Here’s a little peek at my morning yesterday: 5:00 a.m. – Jump out of bed and rush to get dressed and ready […]
Read more "Experiencing Worship in Daily Trials"
The Artistic Christian 