As I prepared for my message, "Help," on Psalm 121 this past week, one thing that caught my imagination was considering what it means that Jesus prayed the Psalms of Ascent throughout his life. While we do not have an explicit record of this happening in Scripture, it is implicit within Luke 2:41-52 where Jesus …
Help
Continuing our journey with the Psalms of Ascent, we explored Psalm 121 this weekend at Eastbrook as part of our series, Ascend. In contrast to last weekend's message, "Peace," Psalm 121's striking emphasis on the character and activity of God is so overpowering it is no wonder that it is many people's favorite psalm. I walked steadily through …
The Holy Pursuit of the Hidden God
To enter into the stillness of God and to attend to the silence of God requires patience. God is not a Labrador retriever who comes when we call. God is like the rain that comes when it will, whether the grass is green or the crops are failing. While it is true that, as Jesus …
When We Feel Like Running Away
There are times in our lives when we feel like running away. I still remember when I was an elementary school kid and one of the bullies came after me during a recess football game. I definitely felt like running away...and I did! As fast as I could go. As I've grown older, however, I've …
Peace
We began our journey with the Psalms of Ascent, "Ascend," this weekend at Eastbrook, spending time with Psalm 120. In this message, I explore themes of the spiritual life with God as a pilgrimage or journey, honesty and hopeful prayer, the need for community, and living in peace instead of hatred or hopelessness. Here is …
