Over the last few years I have become more interested in engaging with the seasons of the Church calendar. I know that as a child our church followed a regular liturgy that included a focus on the seasons. Advent, Lent, etc…were all times of the year that meant something.

I didn’t really notice.

Yet, as I grow older and look around our world, I think there is something critically important to mark the rhythms of life with these seasons.

This year my younger brother, Dave, asked about Lent sharing that he wanted to intentionally engage with it. We are three days in and I’m sitting here pondering the readings from the week and the prayers that I’ve been meditating on and I’m struck with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

I’ve been feeling restless since the Fall when my house was emptied of children. I needed to start again.

Lent, is providing a touchstone for starting again.

Many Christians this past Wednesday went to worship and received ashes on their foreheads. These ashes were from the palms of last year’s Palm Sunday worship. It is a reminder of the death and resurrection of Christ.

I’m struck that Lent is a time to start again.

When we start again, we start with the acknowledgement of death and the fragility of life. I suppose that’s why many give something up during this season. But, I’m finding that I’m more inclined to start something.

I’m starting a new intention of reading and praying and meditating on Scripture. I’m starting a new intention of being more present with my family.

As I meditate on the death of Christ my mind is almost immediately drawn to the resurrection and the hope of starting again.

This week we continue exploring the story of people in the book of Acts. Dan challenges us to consider restoring dignity and removing shame from those in the fringes. This was originally recorded at Peace Presbyterian Church in Flint, MI.

In this episode we explore together Acts 2:42-47. This message was recorded at Peace Presbyterian Church in Flint, MI.

What happens when God shows up?

The early church is left in a state of bewilderment and shock. Now what do they do?

We begin our study of the Book of Acts.

I’ve been thinking about the New Year, a bit. In so many ways we often start the New Year thinking about shortcomings.

It’s the “I‘m nots…”

So, we make resolutions to try and “fix” whatever it is we are “not.”

I read a book last year about habit forming, Atomic Habits, and one of the things that has really stuck with me is the importance on setting my mind on the kind of person that I desire to be. But not with an “I hope…” or an “I should…” but with an “I am…”

What if this year we chose not to make resolutions but to identify one or two aspects of who we are?

Here is what I’ve been thinking about as I stare into the face of 2023:

“I am the kind of person who takes care of his body.”

“I am the kind of person who is present in the lives of others.”

Yes, those statements are broad. But, they help make hard choices easier. The pursuit of these “I am…” statements are beginning to create in me a desire “for” and “to be”.

Do you have any “I am” statements that drive you toward a sense of becoming?

I’ve been thinking about the New Year, a bit. In so many ways we often start the New Year thinking about shortcomings.

It’s the “I‘m nots…”

So, we make resolutions to try and “fix” whatever it is we are “not.”

I read a book last year about habit forming, Atomic Habits, and one of the things that has really stuck with me is the importance on setting my mind on the kind of person that I desire to be. But not with an “I hope…” or an “I should…” but with an “I am…”

What if this year we chose not to make resolutions but to identify one or two aspects of who we are?

Here is what I’ve been thinking about as I stare into the face of 2023:

“I am the kind of person who takes care of his body.”

“I am the kind of person who is present in the lives of others.”

Yes, those statements are broad. But, they help make hard choices easier. The pursuit of these “I am…” statements are beginning to create in me a desire “for” and “to be”.

Do you have any “I am” statements that drive you toward a sense of becoming?

I’ve been thinking about the New Year, a bit. In so many ways we often start the New Year thinking about shortcomings.

It’s the “I‘m nots…”

So, we make resolutions to try and “fix” whatever it is we are “not.”

I read a book last year about habit forming, Atomic Habits, and one of the things that has really stuck with me is the importance on setting my mind on the kind of person that I desire to be. But not with an “I hope…” or an “I should…” but with an “I am…”

What if this year we chose not to make resolutions but to identify one or two aspects of who we are?

Here is what I’ve been thinking about as I stare into the face of 2023:

“I am the kind of person who takes care of his body.”

“I am the kind of person who is present in the lives of others.”

Yes, those statements are broad. But, they help make hard choices easier. The pursuit of these “I am…” statements are beginning to create in me a desire “for” and “to be”.

Do you have any “I am” statements that drive you toward a sense of becoming?

The post It’s A New Year! first appeared on Daniel M Rose.

Patience is hard work. It demands an expectancy and an effort that brings about change and transformation.

Patience is hard work. It demands an expectancy and an effort that brings about change and transformation.

Patience is hard work. It demands an expectancy and an effort that brings about change and transformation.

The post Patience first appeared on Daniel M Rose.

The Pub and Coffee Shop

Tuesday night I wandered into my pub, Tap Room, for Tap Room Tuesday with my crew of people. Justin, our waiter, smiled and waved as I walked in. Justin knows my name. If I roll in early enough he asks about my family and week.

He knows my order.

He is happy that my crew and I are there.

In so many ways, Justin pastors me.

As I write this morning, I'm sitting here sipping on a coffee at my coffee shop. There is a sense of contentment that I feel when I'm here that I can't quite explain. The barista, Scott, knows my name. He's been my barista for a while now. I got to know him at Cream and Crumb and then at Cultivate (or maybe it was the other way around?).

When I walk in he knows my name.

He knows my order.

He knows about my kids and asks about them.

In so many ways, Scott pastors me.

Communion

Justin and Scott through their presence in these spaces create something in our neighborhood that is critically important. They create connection. They may not realize it, but they are building community. As we come in and out of their orbits we feel loved, cared for, and welcomed.

I don't know about you, but I know deep in my soul there is a longing for communion. Communion is defined as, "the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level."((Oxford Languages on Google))

If you ask a church goer what communion is they will tell you it's the "Lord's Supper." This is the time in worship when many churches will offer bread and juice (or wine) in accordance with the Scriptures.

But this isn't really communion, for most. It's usually quite individualistic and solitary.

We long for communion, the sharing of intimate thoughts and feelings on a mental or spiritual level.

It's part of what makes us human.

I haven't done the deep dive into the research, but I wonder if the reason that so many of us struggle with depression and anxiety is our lack of communion. We are more "connected" than ever and yet somehow more isolated.

We are a lonely people.

There is little communion.

When I show up at the coffee shop or the pub, I get a taste of communion.

I hope that when people show up at my house on Sunday evenings that they get to experience communion. I'm realizing that this is the core of pastoring. It's not converting people or "preaching the Word." No, it really comes down to facilitating communion. It's helping people feel loved, welcomed, and cared for.

Where do you experience communion? How are you offering it to others?

The Pub and Coffee Shop

Tuesday night I wandered into my pub, Tap Room, for Tap Room Tuesday with my crew of people. Justin, our waiter, smiled and waved as I walked in. Justin knows my name. If I roll in early enough he asks about my family and week.

He knows my order.

He is happy that my crew and I are there.

In so many ways, Justin pastors me.

As I write this morning, I’m sitting here sipping on a coffee at my coffee shop. There is a sense of contentment that I feel when I’m here that I can’t quite explain. The barista, Scott, knows my name. He’s been my barista for a while now. I got to know him at Cream and Crumb and then at Cultivate (or maybe it was the other way around?).

When I walk in he knows my name.

He knows my order.

He knows about my kids and asks about them.

In so many ways, Scott pastors me.

Communion

Justin and Scott through their presence in these spaces create something in our neighborhood that is critically important. They create connection. They may not realize it, but they are building community. As we come in and out of their orbits we feel loved, cared for, and welcomed.

I don’t know about you, but I know deep in my soul there is a longing for communion. Communion is defined as, “the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.”((Oxford Languages on Google))

If you ask a church goer what communion is they will tell you it’s the “Lord’s Supper.” This is the time in worship when many churches will offer bread and juice (or wine) in accordance with the Scriptures.

But this isn’t really communion, for most. It’s usually quite individualistic and solitary.

We long for communion, the sharing of intimate thoughts and feelings on a mental or spiritual level.

It’s part of what makes us human.

I haven’t done the deep dive into the research, but I wonder if the reason that so many of us struggle with depression and anxiety is our lack of communion. We are more “connected” than ever and yet somehow more isolated.

We are a lonely people.

There is little communion.

When I show up at the coffee shop or the pub, I get a taste of communion.

I hope that when people show up at my house on Sunday evenings that they get to experience communion. I’m realizing that this is the core of pastoring. It’s not converting people or “preaching the Word.” No, it really comes down to facilitating communion. It’s helping people feel loved, welcomed, and cared for.

Where do you experience communion? How are you offering it to others?