The Starfish Story

In my weekend services this Sunday I intend to reference the familiar “starfish story” along with the question, “Where is God calling you to make a difference?” You’ve probably read this story or heard it paraphrased in sermons or motivational speeches, but I thought you might enjoy reading it again and being reminded that even our feeblest of efforts can contribute toward a positive change…

Where was God at the Boston Marathon?

Where was Jesus when multiple bombs exploded along this year’s Boston Marathon route, shattering loved ones’ hearts and instilling fear into an already anxious culture? Where was He ten days earlier when Pastor Rick Warren’s son took his life into his own hands? Where was He during recent tsunamis, natural disasters, and cruel expressions of man’s inhumanity to man? Where was He during your darkest…

Bursting bubbles

Grace Church Summer Reading Program: The Hole in our Gospel—week 2  Thoughts from the Prologue I tried to get out of the Prologue and in to the 1st chapter of The Hole in our Gospel this week but I couldn’t do it. I was too gripped by Richard Stearns’ metaphor of bursting bubbles. He described his bubble as one that “safely contained my life, family,…

The Hole in our Gospel Reading Program–Week 1

Introduction/Prologue Welcome to our 2013 Grace Church reading program! I anticipate a wonderful, life-enriching experience as we read The Hole in our Gospel together and earnestly invite God to impact us with His heart for hurting people around the world. Each week I will post a few succinct thoughts or questions from the selected reading for us to ponder. If we tackle one chapter each…

Karma versus Grace

Karma Noun: action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation. The cosmic principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished in one incarnation according to that person’s deeds in the previous incarnation. Synonyms: fate, predetermination, kismet.[1] Grace Noun: elegance, beauty, favor, goodwill. A manifestation of favor, especially by a superior. Synonyms: forgiveness,…