Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. And then it’s over. Paul’s letter ends with the traditional two-fold pattern common to...
What Will You See?
posted by DJL
You’ve probably caught the online sensation photo of a NYPD officer putting a pair of socks and boots on the feet of a homeless man on a cold night earlier this month. If you haven’t, take a moment to read the NY Times article – it will warm your heart almost as much as it did that...
Philippians 4:15-20
posted by DJL
You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the...
Moms: You’re Doing Enough This Christmas
posted by DJL
As of yesterday, we are within four weeks of Christmas. If that thought stresses you ought just a bit, you’re not alone. An untold number of studies say that the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s are among the most stressful of the year. And while I think that’s true for all kinds of people for all kinds of reasons, I think that’s particularly true for parents. Parents who want to make sure Christmas is great for their kids while also attending to all the usual stuff at work and home and, at this time of the year, trying to please their own siblings and parents as well. And, truth be told, when I say parents, I want to add a...
Philippians 4:11-14
posted by DJL
Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being...
The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys
posted by DJL
Okay, so here’s the set-up: three guys who love bluegrass music. Except they’re not just three guys who love bluegrass, they’re three guys from New Jersey, not the first place you think of when you think of bluegrass. Except they’re not just three guys from New Jersey who love bluegrass, they’re three brothers. Except they’re not just three brothers from New Jersey who love bluegrass, they’re three brothers all under the age of fifteen. And there you have it: Brothers Jonny, Robbie and Tommy Mizzone are “The Sleepy Man Banjo Boys,” a trio of virtuoso bluegrass musicians who in just five minutes will share two songs and in...
Philippians 4:10
posted by DJL
I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. It’s easy to think of the Christian life primarily as one of giving: giving support to others, giving to those in need, giving our time...
Moneyball and the Future of the Church, Pt. 3
posted by DJL
3. The Risks and Rewards of Adaptive Change One of my definitions of good leadership is the ability to take advantage of crises. What do I mean by that? Simply that a good leader is always tending a vision of the future. A vision that is always a little larger than the present, always moving just a little beyond where we are now. The challenge however, is that as a species we tend to put a very high value on homeostasis. We greatly prefer, that is, stability to change. And for good reason: stability promotes growth. But that means we are often far more reactive than proactive, changing only when we have to. And that makes advancing a...
Philippians 4:8-9
posted by DJL
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and...
Hold Me Closer Tony Danza…
posted by DJL
…and other great misheard song lyrics. After a festive and hectic holiday weekend and on this Cyber Monday – how did we ever come up with names like this for the days of our lives? – it seemed a little humor was in order. The History of Misheard Lyrics, Opus No. 13, comes from Collective Cadenza, a group of recent graduates of Julliard who are more than willing to use their classical training to lighten our mood and invite us to laugh at our culture and ourselves. I haven’t found a video on misheard hymn lines yet, but I’m sure there’s one out there. Or maybe we should all share our favorites and make one....
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