Category: John
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Listening Well
I have spent these weeks in my sabbatical trying to listen well. I want to hear God. I want to hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit. I am looking for direction, and wisdom, and guidance. I want these things for our church, and for our family, and for my life. God speaks. I believe…
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Cutting Away
This morning, I dropped our dog, Kennedy, off at the groomers for his “every 8 weeks” clean up session. When he came out, his har had been thinned out a bit (good for summer), he smelled much better, and he was sporting a stylish, new bandanna. After lunch, I went out into the back yard…
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Whisper in Their Ear
William Willimon, who is a retired bishop in the United Methodist Church, tells a great story about a friend of his who, in mid-life, decided that he wanted to learn how to fly a small plane. So William’s friend went out to their local airport and signed up for flying lessons. He was given this great…
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What We Listen For
“A man and a woman were walking along a crowded sidewalk in New York City. Suddenly, the woman, who was a zoologist, said, ‘Listen to the lovely sound of that cricket,’ but the man could not hear the sound. He asked: “How can you possibly hear a cricket, in the middle of all of this noise, and…
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The Love We Don’t Deserve
In the spring of 1995, major and minor league baseball players were on strike over the salary cap and collective bargaining. But team owners were determined…they were going to have a baseball season, strike or no strike! So, they threw open the gates, and invited pretty much anybody who knew how to scoop up a grounder…
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We Want to See Jesus
I think that one of the most profound phrases in all the scriptures can be found in our Gospel reading today. It is six, simple words: “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” It is a humble, respectful request, made to the disciples by a group of travelers, people of Greek origin, who have apparently come a…
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Don’t Skip the Previews
Lori and I love going to the movies. There is something fun about heading to the theater, and getting a bag of popcorn, and settling in to a really, really good story. And I’ve got to tell you, once the theaters put those recliners in, you know, the ones with the heated seats…I’m pretty sure I could…
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Questions Jesus Asks
The very first person who knew that Lori and I were engaged was the sound guy at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. It is true. It was Memorial Day weekend, 1994, and Lori and I had first hiked down from Minnehaha Falls to the spot where the creek enters the Mississippi River. We were sitting there, by the…
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Peace
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled,…
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The Habit of the Word
There are some noises that drive me kind of crazy. I’m sure the same is true for you as well. Fingernails on a chalkboard. I hate that. Our dog, barking at 2 in the morning. The sound of people talking during a movie…in a theater…ugh. The sound of a car with a bad battery, trying to start.…