I returned home from a long day of ministry. Not that life-giving day of ministry that sends us to the sheets physically destroyed but spiritually renewed. No, it was one of those other days of ministry – it was one of those days the devil was lickin’ his ugly chops, throwing every annoyance my way, [...]
It was Monday and walking back into my office I found the loving reward for a night filled with good relational ministry. My office was covered in tape as if teens where trying to make a special hammock just for me. The tape came from every wall – hanging from my desk, my bookshelves, my [...]
WARNING: The following blog is not written for everyone – only type-A, “control freak” Catholics (like myself) need read on. The rest of you (who don’t admit it), might seek out a priest for Reconciliation (see Exodus 20:16). Now, it’s important to note that I’m not indicting you; I’m indicting myself. My first several years [...]
Her heart pounded steadily. Her knees shook with a peaceful disbelief. “What sort of greeting is this?” she pondered. Her young teenage body knelt upon the dirt beneath her, her eyes fixed on the celestial light pouring forth from her unexpected messenger. Young Mary of Nazareth had never heard such a phrase: “full of grace”. [...]
I am an avid reader. I love to begin books. No, that is not a misprint. While I love beginning books, I rarely finish them. A cursory glance at my bookshelf would reveal hundreds upon hundreds of books, spine bent and underlined – many of which contain later chapters still in unread, pristine condition. I [...]
It’s not often that a film leaves you wanting to stand up and cheer. It’s even less often that a film leaves you speechless. It is (unfortunately) almost never that a film accentuates the beauty and sanctity of human life. All that is about to change. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the new [...]
Like many of you reading this, it’s been a busy summer for me. I figured out that I’ve traveled over 30,000 miles in the past eight weeks, by plane, rental car, bus, boat and golf cart (great gas mileage). Since Memorial Day my life has felt like one “event” after another. The Life Teen Convention [...]
I’ve had several conversations with people in ministry lately regarding possible liturgical changes, linguistic concerns, basics of Latin and, even, foundational hermeneutics. Basically, it’s been a lot of discussion over topics that I never in my wildest of dreams envisioned myself having when I got into ministry. I’m not a liturgist. I’m not a theologian. [...]
Written by God…brought to you by the Bible Geek® Begin with a Prayer. Ask the group to take out their Bibles and divide the group into three groups. Have each group (on their own) read one of the following Scripture verses: Acts 2:42, Acts 13:44, Acts 20:7. Once read, have one volunteer from each group [...]