*** I’ve jumped up to an entry from today’s journal as we finish up this strange year of 2020 ***     For some, this year 2020 has been a kind of “reboot” in understanding what my church will look like in the future. For others, this year has only been a year of difficulty and disappointment. The first group will look upon this year as the beginning of many new things while the second group will only see this year as a pause before continuing to do what they have always done. This year will one day be seen as a crossroads where my church went in two very…

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again, Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my…

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” (John 18:36-37)     Jesus came into the world to testify to the truth of my kingdom. How people receive that testimony depends on which side of the truth about my kingdom they are standing…

*** This was a personal word to me, but it might also speak to you. — Ralph   If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)     I want you to take this statement literally. You can ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you… if you are remaining in me and my words are remaining in you. The problem is not that you don’t abide in me, the problem is that you don’t really believe that you can ask whatever you wish. It is not humility to refrain from…

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. (John 12:24-26)     To follow Jesus is to come into a life of fruitfulness, but it is fruit developed in a different way than the world’s definition of fruitfulness. To follow Jesus…