Category Archives: Sermons and Devotions

Stations of the Cross: The Sixth Station

A Series for Holy Week. Thanks to Lisa Dye for leading us in today’s meditation. THE SIXTH STATION Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. Scripture For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of GodContinue reading “Stations of the Cross: The Sixth Station”

Stations of the Cross: The Fifth Station

A Series for Holy Week. Thanks to Jeff Dunn for leading us in these meditations. THE FIFTH STATION Simon of Cyrene carries the cross. Scripture When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. Luke 23: 26Continue reading “Stations of the Cross: The Fifth Station”

Stations of the Cross: The Fourth Station

A Series for Holy Week. Thanks to Jeff Dunn for leading us in these meditations. THE FOURTH STATION Jesus meets his Mother. Scripture Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Luke 1:38 NLT Meditation A parent should never have to outlive a child. Those of usContinue reading “Stations of the Cross: The Fourth Station”

Stations of the Cross: The Third Station

A Series for Holy Week. Thanks to Jeff Dunn for leading us in these meditations. THE THIRD STATION Jesus falls the first time Scripture The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thornContinue reading “Stations of the Cross: The Third Station”

Stations of the Cross: The First Station

A Series for Holy Week Thanks to Jeff Dunn for leading us in these meditations THE FIRST STATION Jesus is condemned to die Scripture The governor asked, “Which of these two do you want me to pardon?” They said, “Barabbas!” “Then what shall I do with Jesus, the so-called Christ?” They all shouted, “Nail himContinue reading “Stations of the Cross: The First Station”

Practice Resurrection, continued — Why I Love Eugene Peterson

Noted by Chaplain Mike. I’ve been distracted lately from my reading of Eugene Peterson’s new book, Practice Resurrection, a conversation about spiritual maturity from Ephesians. Tonight, I came back to it, and found this story. Sublime illustration. Two friends, Fred and Cheryl, went to Haiti twenty-five years ago to pick up a child they hadContinue reading “Practice Resurrection, continued — Why I Love Eugene Peterson”

Who and What Are Forming You?

A classic IM post by Michael Spencer from April, 2007. Every time I feel like I have lost my way in the Christian life, I find myself back looking at monasticism, and the lessons I learned in two decades of reading Thomas Merton. I’m not attracted to Catholicism, but I am very much attracted toContinue reading “Who and What Are Forming You?”

The Long and Wandering Process of Prayer

From Chaplain Mike. David Hansen has been one of my surest pastoral guides. His book, The Art of Pastoring: Ministry without All the Answers, is in my view one of the wisest manuals for contemplative ministry available, especially for those in smaller churches. Today, I want to highlight the main concept in another of Hansen’sContinue reading “The Long and Wandering Process of Prayer”

Choose Joy

Today’s post is by Chaplain Mike. Tim Hansel was a strong, risk-taking, all-out-effort kind of guy. He climbed mountains and led wilderness expeditions. One day, on the way back to camp after climbing on the Palisade Glacier with friends, his foot slipped and he fell a long distance down into a crevasse, landing directly onContinue reading “Choose Joy”