In 1992, Andrew Grove, then CEO of the tech giant Intel, was quoted by The New York Times as saying that the idea of a “wireless personal communicator” in every pocket was “a pipe dream driven by greed.” As I write this article, I have a “wireless personal communicator” in my pocket, and you may be using yours to read this article. If not, you likely have one nearby. Andrew Grove was proven wrong. Ironically, insiders in the technology sector, like PCWorld, predict that your next cell phone will likely be powered by an Intel chip. It is safe to say that Intel now believes in the pipe dream.
The head of one of the biggest technology companies in the world could not see the potential of cell phones – devices that are now... Read the article
Read the article
Ordinary Time is a good season to connect our neighbors to our congregants and congregations.
According to the Christian calendar, we are in the midst of Ordinary Time — a time when many Christians focus on discipleship and our identity as the sent people of God. This is a good opportunity for congregations to reflect upon the ways in which they are bearing witness to the King and his kingdom in their neighborhoods. Many GCI congregations have planned Love Avenue events in the summer months and are preparing to deepen their community connections. In an effort to connect our neighbors to our congregants and congregations, we should not overlook the ministry that new people often look for first.
In a 2022 report released by the... Read the article
Read the article
Every family – regardless of what it looks like – should be treated with honor, respect, and love.
Many people across the U.S. will be celebrating Father’s Day this month. As a dad, I don’t look forward to Father’s Day for the gifts. Although, I do like the gifts! Rather, I look forward to the time I get to spend with my wife and children. I am grateful to God for the relationship I have with my daughter and son. They are two of the greatest blessings I have ever received.
Father’s Day was not always a happy day for me. I grew up in a single parent household at a time when some people looked down upon family configurations that were not considered “normal.” I remember being in elementary school and being required by... Read the article
Read the article
The “church” includes all – Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female, children, teens, and adults.
At the end of this month, we will celebrate Pentecost, the day the church was born. Luke describes the event in Acts 2:
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd... Read the article
Read the article
Youth often come to believe that Jesus is out of reach. Easter reminds us he is not.
On Easter morning, a group of women went looking for Jesus’ tomb. These dedicated disciples sought to honor Jesus by treating his body according to Jewish custom. When they got to the place where his body was laid, they found angels standing in front of an open tomb. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read:
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you.”... Read the article
Read the article
Teaching the joy of spiritual practices.
If you are anything like me, you have heard some interesting teaching on the spiritual disciplines. One preacher taught that all Christians had to pray for one hour on their knees every morning to have an acceptable devotional life. To this person, prayer was a transaction — we give God some prayer, and he blesses us. I have since learned that prayer is about spending time with God and letting his presence transform me. It does not center on a particular position, time of day, or duration of prayer. Rather, it is far more profitable to have a rhythm of turning towards God throughout our day. I also heard that a proper fast meant refraining from food and water for 24 hours. It is not advisable to... Read the article
Read the article
The ways in which we guide the misbehavior of young people says something about who God is to us.
When I worked at the South Boston Boys and Girls Club, there was a little girl named Jill who decided to be my shadow. This would be a sweet story except that Jill was an angry shadow. Due to the life experiences she faced during the seven years she was on the planet, she learned to express her fondness and need for attention with violence. As soon as she arrived at the Club, she would immediately run up to me and punch me. She would grab onto me until I did what she wanted. When I ignored her, she would ruin the games I played with other children. I wish I could say I was always loving in my treatment of Jill, but after weeks of this... Read the article
Read the article
It’s vital to give Gen Z the message that they are special in Christ.
Friends, I am sorry to bring you some sad news. After watching several commercials, I have learned that I am not living my best life. The drug commercial showed me that I do not have the right kind of friends — friends that will fly kites with me or laugh joyfully while making pottery. So, apparently, I need to start taking that drug. I also need to switch my deodorant. According to the commercial, all women are supposed to find me attractive, so something must be wrong. Admittedly, I do not think my wife is going to like it when I get that kind of attention. That’s why I have to buy new sneakers. I learned that I am not fast enough, but if I get the sneakers in... Read the article
Read the article
Even before he could say a word, Jesus was transforming lives.
This month, Christians from around the world will be celebrating Advent and Christmas. As believers, we rejoice in the coming of our Lord and Savior, marveling at the humble arrival of the King of Kings. Jesus not only came to earth as one of us, but he arrived as a helpless baby. It goes against all human logic for God to lower himself in that way. Yet, Jesus became one of us in every way to open the door for us to be like him.
During this time of year, we have an opportunity to meditate on the fact that, by the Spirit, Jesus had a profound impact on those around him without being able to talk. It was not only Christ’s ministry that changed lives, but it was also his... Read the article
Read the article
One of the most important things you can do to reflect the image of Christ is show up.
I have attended many awkward events. Some of them could be considered cringeworthy. I was an honored guest at a Quinceañera (a celebration of a girl’s 15th birthday), where I was one of only a handful of attendees who spoke English. Sadly, I have yet to learn Spanish, so for two hours, I did a lot polite smiling and muttering, “Lo siento, no hablo Español” (Sorry, I don’t speak Spanish).
I went to a football game where the player I came to see looked like he was being used by the other team as a practice dummy. I still shake my head when I think about how badly the game went for him — 2 fumbles, 3 dropped passes, and a net 0 yards gained... Read the article
Read the article
