Intentional Prayer Process

My friend Steve Beard is a strong Wesleyan Christian who has become a maker of Roman Catholic prayer beads. He got his first crucifix in Rome while visiting the Vatican. One thing led to another and he became a crucifix maker with a specific focus on developing a system of prayer and spiritual formation that might connect with non-believers. I know it sounds strange, but it works! Ask me (or better yet, ask Steve) about the various dynamics some day.

Steve got me to thinking. I have always been interested in prayer systems that help Christians to stay on task and to go deeper with God. Thus, I too (but not to the intricate or artistic degree as Steve) became a bead maker. You see my first effort in the photo above.

A set of simple beads modeled after the Anglican beads that are often used for personal prayer. 33 beads in total to represent the individual years in the life of Jesus. A cross to provide a grounding and starting point that is connected to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. An 'introductory' larger bead that launches the sequence of prayer. Four larger beads around the circumference to serve as a reminder in the shape of the cross.

Then there are the seven beads (sometimes referred to as weeks...get it, 7 days = a week...I only mention that because it took me a little while to catch on).

For those who might be interested, here is the sequence that works best for me:

While holding the cross, open with the Lord's Prayer as a way of centering your heart, mind and spirit. Then move to the introductory bead to recite the Apostles' Creed as a way of connecting to Christian doctrine and history.

Next comes the bottom of the four beads that make up the form of the cross. Here I would recite (silently or quietly) the Gospel of John 1:1-5 along with verse 14. Check it out.

Each small bead of the seven week sequence calls for a simple breath prayer that connects us back to the center of Jesus in our lives. "Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me." The weeks can also be used to focus on the intercessory needs of others as you one-by-one move around the circle of faith.

The remaining three larger beads in the cruciform circle are connected to the (1) John Wesley Covenant Prayer, (2) the prayer of St Francis, and (3) my favorite verse from Ephesians 4:11-13 with a strong request for the Body of Christ to be built up.

Strange huh? Let me know, I will build a set for you. Peace!

A long time waiting

Sometimes it takes a really long time to have anything worth while to say. Then there are other times when there are a lot of words but not much that really makes sense. It is the plague of the preacher! Words that fail to communicate the Word (if you know what I mean).

Let me tell you that I continue to be impressed and motivated by the faithfulness of the people who come into my life. Some of those people are 'flesh and blood' folks while others are known only to me through history or the printed word.

For example, I have been reading about the life and ministry of Francis Asbury. What a faithful guy. He traveled on horseback for thousands of miles during post-revolution America when travel was really travel. No road side rest areas by the side of the interstate. No clean restrooms at McDonald's. No cold drink waiting inside the gas station / convenience store. Just miles and miles of saddle time.

As it turns out, Asbury was one of the best know people of his day. He was known by facial recognition to a far greater degree than George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or any of those swirling constitutional signatures. He knew people of every type. He had wealthy friends who cared for his needs and funded the Methodist movement. But he always choose to spend the night in the home of common folks. Town to town, village to village, homestead to homestead, he was a man of the people.

I love that image. Humble, faithful, loyal, consistent, relational ... I think I see a pattern here. Ultimately he was a pastor. Oh, if only...

Good Friday

I spent part of the day reading the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion. Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19 will give you the full picture.

You might take a moment to read these passages. Take a minute, I will wait.....

Thanks, you know that there are a variety of Bible study skills that you can apply to any passage of Scripture to get the most out of the message. One way to approach the text is to ask about the Place, the People, and the Purpose.

The place is clear, Golgotha. The Place of the Skull. The hill just outside of the city. One mention of the word and everyone knew...it meant pain, torture, revenge, justice, criminal behavior, and death.

There were lots of people at the cross. Simon catches the eye of a Roman solider and is forced to carry the cross of Jesus. He literally carries the cross for all of humanity. There are two criminals. One mocks while the other cries out to Jesus. Jesus responds from the heart, today, you will be with me in paradise..

Then there was Mary the mother of Jesus. She is there standing near the disciple John. Do you think she was remembering the words of Simeon in the temple at the dedication of the child...one day a sword will pierce your soul.

The disciples were there too. Some of them anyway. Judas is gone to his death. Peter is gone to his denial.

Lots of people were there. Some curious, some power hungry, some in great sadness, others celebrating a legal and spiritual victory. Some even called out...if you are the King of the Jews...save yourself.

Apparently, some things are worth dying for.

Then there is the purpose. What is the purpose anyway. Some thought it was to mock him. Others said good riddance. Some were joyful. But God, what was God's purpose. The salvation of the world. Because some things are worth dying for.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in his name will not perish but will have eternal life.

You know, the preaching of Jesus was really very simple. Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand. The preaching is simple, it is the teaching that really presses it all home. He unpacks the Kingdom lifestyle in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7.

Some folks read that and say...that is just humanly impossible. We can never live up to that. It must just be an example for us to know that we need to keep on trying. But I don't think that is the why he took time to teach those difficult and challenging lifestyle concepts.

You see, he believed that some things are worth dying for.

For God so loved the world that he gave....

Some things are worth dying for

Holy Week

Michelangelo arrived in Rome at the ripe old age of twenty-one. His reputation preceded him and won him great favor with Pope Julius III who commissioned him to build a tomb for the Pope. Later he would be honored with the task of describing Catholic theology upon the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He spent four years painting and supervising this incredibly powerful work.

One of the most famous sections of the chapel ceiling is the Creation of Adam. The humanized figure of God reaches out to almost (but not quite) touch the finger of Adam. The gap is connected by the power of the Spirit and Adam comes to life.

The image of the powerful right hand of God reaching out to creation is incredibly potent as we experience Holy Week together. We don't know all that happened in that moment but we do know that the touch of God can change the world. In fact, we see it happening all the time.

I see it in the face of new believers as they begin to realize the power of love. I see it as hearts overflow with passion when people find their calling and begin to live by faith. I see it when hope begins to rise in a life that was once captured by sorrow and depression. I see it when people read the Word of God and begin to realize that it speaks a message of authority into their lives.

Ephesians chapter one must be my all time favorite section of scripture. It is filled to overflowing with the ripe and rich image of God's power and purpose. I especially love the prayer of the Apostle Paul. Imagine for a moment that he is praying this prayer just for you.

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..."

The powerful right hand of God...the same touch that brought life to Adam...is at work in the life of the believer. The same power that established creation and raised Jesus from the dead is likewise available to those how have placed their faith in our God whom we know as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

That, my friends, is worth a cosmic celebration. Michelangelo created a beautiful image that helps us imagine how it might have happened. God does it every day and invites us to remember. It is Holy Week, remember.

Jesus ~ The Alpha and the Omega

It has been a long time away! Sorry, the Bold New Step effort has captured my attention. Rightly so, this will be our threshold into a future that is shaped my incredible ministry!

Meanwhile, Easter slipped up from nowhere. Actually it always follows Palm Sunday which always follows Ash Wednesday. What goes around....

I have been thinking about eternity. Our men's bible study thinks about eternity from time to time. (that's a pun...get it?) Anyway, we wonder how long is eternity? And how would you describe it to someone if you could? When does it start? And where in the world (or out of this world) does it end?

I try, but my explanations are to human-bound. My only real thought is that eternity is a lot like Jesus. Present before creation, incarnated Son of God, resurrected Lord, King of Kings, the same yesterday today and tomorrow....the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Easter is an Alpha and Omega celebration. It just keeps on giving.

I pray that your Easter celebration has an eternal flavor to it. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! Amen.

Never Find Yourself Alone In A Pew

Imported, they were, functional at best
Everyone in a row, all just like the rest
Worship and courtrooms, there they appear
The favorite location - all to the rear!

Here's some advice, unheeded I fear
If you leave it behind, I shed a tear
Wherever you go...whatever you do,
Never find yourself alone in a pew.

Pews are for people, we all fit just right
But one extra person, and things get tight
If you are in the court...have a friend at your side
In worship - let's face it - from God you can not hide

They are long, hard, benches in disguise
But the wisdom of pews isn't wasted on the wise.
They are places for folks like me and like you
Oh please, never find yourself sitting alone in a pew!

All Shapes and Sizes

Black History Month is a great time to think together about diversity. The world is a very diverse place. It is filled with folks who are short, tall, rich, poor, black, white, brown and a bunch of other configurations.

The same is true of congregations. Some are large, some are small, others live in the country while many dwell in the city. We are diverse!

You may have noticed (or it may not be this way in your neighborhood) that most congregations tend to be fairly homogeneous? Most of us look alike. We may have different backgrounds, different employment, different education, but we tend to look like the folks in the next pew.

While the world is looking very diverse...the church tends to reflect something different. Why is that? Is it intentional? How could we change that? Do we want to change? Is "well enough" good enough?

A couple of years ago I met a pastor named Rodney Woo in a community connected to the Houston metroplex. Pastor Woo has written a couple of books on the multi-cultural church. He not only writes about his plan, he lives it out every day. One step inside his congregation on Sunday morning will bless you will different languages, diverse people, and a plan to make it all work. Way to go Rodney and the Wilcrest Baptist Church! Lead the way!

For me, the Body of Christ is always richer, healthier, and more Biblical when the fullness of creation is represented, encouraged, and blessed. We are all better because the Body functions when grace abounds.

PS: Happy Birthday Mom!

Reflections on Worship

As I write this...I am thinking...tomorrow is the day. It will be Sunday. Not just any-old Sunday, but a one-and-only Sunday. It is a day that will never come around again. We can look back, remember, smile, frown, regret, or rejoice in the memory, but it will never be ours to experience again. Sunday!

Each day of our lives holds the same reality but this one is different. It is the Lord's day. It is a day of worship. It is a day when we will gather in the worship center, sing our praise, share the Scriptures, and pray for one another. It is a unique opportunity, a holy obligation, a day dedicated to God, we can not let it flow into the past without offering our best to God.

This is my prayer...Lord Jesus, help me to know you, worship you, experience your love, and serve you to the best of my ability. Guide us into the reality of your love. Help us to gather in peace and hope. Remind us that your creative image flows through our veins at this very moment. Let us be your people. Allow us the privilege of worshiping you fully and serving you with wisdom. Use our lives, Lord, to transform the world. Help us to make this 'Sunday' truly like no other. Use us, shape us, teach us, love us we pray. Amen

As always...I am looking forward to seeing you very soon.

Faith and Doubt

Here are some passages of Scripture that will help us think together about the nature of doubt in the context of faith. I would suggest that you take a few minutes to look up the passage in your Bible (maybe you can read it in two or three versions), read it slowly with deliberation, and then allow your heart and mind to consider the message from as many different perspectives as you can. Spend at least ten minutes each day with each passage.

You might want to look at www.biblegateway.com (drop your courser over the blank to reveal) as a resource for various Bible translations. You can simply enter the reference for the verse you want to read, select a translation, and capture the message. I often copy and paste various translations so I can compare them side-by-side.

Day One
Judges chapter 6 - Focus on 6:17 as a sample
This is our old friend Gideon. Read the section and circle the number of times Gideon says 'if' in response to God. Have you ever wanted a 'sign' from God to confirm your doubt?

Day Two
John 20:25
We looked at this passage with Thomas on Sunday. Are you a 'touch and see' believer who (like Gideon) is always on the look out for evidence before you can put your faith in the hands of God?

Day Three
Luke 24
Here we find the two disciples walking with Jesus even though they did not realize who he was until he broke bread with them at the end of the day. Look at 24:25 where they are described by Jesus as being 'slow of heart' - are you a leading edge believer, a wait and see believer, a slow of heart believer, or a full speed ahead disciple?

Day Four
Matthew 14:22-36
Here is the famous passage where Jesus walks on water. But our focus is on Peter and his faith process. In verse 31, Jesus rescues him with a statement and a question ... "You of little faith" "Why did you doubt?" How does this apply to your experience today as you have moved through the various features and experiences of your life?

Day Five
Isaiah 43:1-2
The promise of God found here in Isaiah will help us cap off our five day sequence with a word of great hope. We have all passed through the rough waters of life. The hope comes when we realize that God promises (over and over) that we will not be alone on the journey. "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine." says the Lord. That is a word for you today.


I pray blessings of peace upon you, your home, your family, and your continually growing faith. I join you in the journey!

The Apostolic Congregation

With great thanks to Dr. George Hunter...here are some of the features that identify a congregation that is alive, vital and clearly looking toward the future with apostolic eyes!

By the way, George Hunter's new book called The Apostolic Congregation, Church Growth Reconceived For A New Generation is well worth the read. It is a wonderful summary of where we have been with a focus on a growing future!

An Apostolic Congregation


* Has congregational eyes, heart, and mind that are always focused outward toward the needs of pre-Christian people

* Organizes ministry around a staff leadership team that is responsible for motivating and training others for hands-on-ministry

* Intentionally shifts away from the 'chaplain' model of ministry into a multifaceted gifts-based congregational ministry team that includes paid and non-paid staff

* Has a strategy for providing excellence in teaching, worship, preaching, and prayer

* Understands that the 'harvest field' has changed

* Stands firmly on traditional faith with flexibility in how that faith is delivered and shared with the congregation

*Intentionally seeks to be aware of the current culture, climate and needs in the missional neighborhood

* Desires to involve as many people as possible in direct hands-on ministry

* Looks to mission ministry as a primary training ground where all people are mission senders or mission goers...but always seeking to reach the local neighborhood

* Is constantly learning how to create growth and discipleship opportunities for people in the areas of personal faith, relationship building, leadership, and life skills

* Sees the future as a positive and passionate possibility that is filled with hope...they are 'horizon' people who are always looking for the next opportunity

* Is lead by leaders who are flexible, spiritually alive, and constantly learning

* Allows for and welcomes change, adjustment, and new opportunities that will bring hope to others

* Understands how social networks and key relationships help bring people to faith

* Realize that commitment to Christ is not the end goal, it is the beginning

* Has a model for ministry that includes solid Biblical stewardship teaching

* Looks to the establishment of new congregations and fresh ministries as a primary goal

* Understands the power of excellence, the motivation of innovation, and the potential that arises from anticipation, preparation, and holy unrest

* Has a solid theological understanding of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.