“Spirituality is not a formula; it is a relationship.  Spirituality is not about competency; it is about intimacy.  Spirituality is not about perfection; it is about connection.” Mike Yaconelli Looking back over 2009, I’m awed and humbled by what I see.  The Lord is pulling together a group of people; friends, not afraid to walk [...]

“Only he who obeys a rhythm superior to his own is free” – Nikos Kazantzakis Becoming aware of the quiet passions that motivate us, it often seems we are more slave to base and petty demands or societal whim than anything else.  For us to find true freedom, we must learn the rhythms of prayer [...]

Gratitude has been a big word around our house lately.  The kids have been acting and talking as though we owe them something – like more toys.  Never mind the barely used this or that in the corner of their room.  Right now we are near a toy store… Each of us come at the [...]

October 2009 It’s budget season. Does our template do what we need it to do? Are we tracking our numbers well enough to make informed decisions about next year? With a weak dollar and diminished support, can we even make ends meet?  All these questions and more swirl about us. What’s catching my attention as [...]

When asked recently to list Ministry Essentials’ goals and strategies for accomplishing our mission, I must admit I felt rather foolish in my answer. We don’t fit the norm and common notion of how to run a ministry/business. We talk more about the ‘already-in-motion’ work of the Spirit than our plans and strategies. “We misunderstand [...]

August 2009 Our staff discussions revolved around three themes last month – our life as ‘prophet’, ‘servant’ and ‘foreigner’. Prophets do not show God’s relevance to life; rather, they insist that we deal with God as He reveals Himself, not as we imagine Him to be. Servants know they do not call the shots. Instead, [...]

“I feel like a bad investment. I’ve poured my life into ministry, the bottom fell out and I’m left holding the bag.” “I feel like an empty watering can. I’m supposed to be pouring into other’s lives but I have nothing left to give.” “I feel like a empty food sack. I go to the [...]

A number of years ago a London Times correspondent ended many of his articles with the words, “What’s wrong with the world?”  Finally in response, G.K. Chesterton wrote the following reply to the paper.  “Dear editor: What’s wrong with the world?  I am.  Faithfully your, G.K. Chesterton.” It’s easy to give mental assent to a [...]

April 2009 “There is life in the blood of the lamb that was slain. There is power , there is power in His name. There is love pouring out of the wounds that were made. Pouring out, pouring over our shame. So praise the God who saves. Praise the God who bled. Praise the God [...]

March 2009 Life is full of transition. And with every transition comes a choice. Obvious choices like, whether it’s time to buy a new car, require little reflective thought. But what of the not so obvious choices? I’m discovering that every moment in life, is a transition. When I move from conversation to conversation, in [...]