The impact of compassion

The impact of compassion

My friend Mark Fields went overseas with The Vineyard Missions to The Philippines. While he was there, he had the opportunity to go visit a marginalized people group who were Muslim in background and not recognized by the government. Because they don’t have birth...
What do you say when you dedicate a baby?

What do you say when you dedicate a baby?

What do you say when you dedicate a baby? Or baptize one, depending on your tradition? What might God be trying to say through that ceremony? What passages of scripture might be appropriate to share? I was asked to do a baby dedication recently and was thinking...
Knowing the city… and its workers

Knowing the city… and its workers

Government workers know their city better than most pastors do. People move into community positions because they want to help their neighborhoods. There are often a lot of difficulties, but there are also opportunities for positive contribution. So if you are a...
The role of authority and position

The role of authority and position

Romans 13:1 reads: Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  But you know what I find really interesting? Romans was– almost certainly– written...
Opportunity or obstacle?

Opportunity or obstacle?

Sometimes we take a look at a particular neighborhood or subculture and we think it’s really bad… and it may be. But how might God want to redeem or use that area? How can we take the energy we feel and use it constructively? God may very well be at work there. Let’s...