Tag: Church

Reflections2 Comments

broken vessels

Michael

I saw a video link on my friend’s Facebook earlier this week about a girl who was born with Down syndrome. Before she was born, the doctors told her parents she was going to have development issues. Her father, who claimed to have “superior genes,” wanted his wife to abort her.   This story grabbed my attention because: I’m a runner. I grew up with several great friends who had Down syndrome. I feel like God has some role picked out for me in the future involving special needs ministry. I just finished reading a book called, “Disability & The … Continue reading broken vessels

Life, Reflections, Travel1 Comment

What do deep dish, Hitch, and South Africa have in common?

Michael

I haven’t totally lost my mind. This definitely happened. Only in Chicago, right? (Shameless social media plug: Follow my adventurousness at #ProjectMikeMeetsChicago) I’ll get to the juicy stuff from the title momentarily, but let me set it up with a few more touristy happenings. I like big cities. Hustle and bustle. Taxi cabs. Crosswalks. People…lots of people. Diversity. Food. Local cultural hodge-podge. Color. Lights. *insert Petula Clark singing Downtown* Saturday was kind of like The Muppets Take Manhattan, but without the voiceovers or the plethora of NE accents. I put on my proverbial daring hat and shuttled myself from O’Hare … Continue reading What do deep dish, Hitch, and South Africa have in common?

LifeLeave a comment

this really touched my heart tonight | O Church Arise

Michael

O church, arise and put your armor on;Hear the call of Christ our captain;For now the weak can say that they are strongIn the strength that God has given.With shield of faith and belt of truthWe’ll stand against the devil’s lies;An army bold whose battle cry is “Love!”Reaching out to those in darkness. Our call to war, to love the captive soul,But to rage against the captor;And with the sword that makes the wounded wholeWe will fight with faith and valor.When faced with trials on ev’ry side,We know the outcome is secure,And Christ will have the prize for which He … Continue reading this really touched my heart tonight | O Church Arise

Life, Reflections, Scripture2 Comments

this is love

Michael

The Bible is full of examples of Christ’s love. It is sacrificial and selfless. Look at what He did for us on the cross. Look at how the Bible describes Christ as the groom and the Church as His bride. 1 Corinthians 13; John 3:16; Ephesians 5; 1 John 4:7-12 (And yes, you will need a tissue to make it through this one.) (original post: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/06/07/the-offense-of-selfless-love/) Continue reading this is love

Church, Culinary, SocialLeave a comment

“Three oinkers wearing pants, plate of hot air, basket of Grandma’s breakfast and change the bull to a gill, got it.”

Michael

I love foodservice (and The Emperor’s New Groove. haha)! My church had a reception for new members this evening and I was asked to help prep and be a runner during service. The menu consisted of Minestrone, Chicken Tortilla Soup, Cornbread, Meatballs, Chips and Queso, and a variety of finger desserts. I must say, I have a new favorite knife-worthy vegetable – zucchini! I can also add a few items of culinary experience to my resume 😉 : Able to carry on a conversation while rough chopping cilantro Able to glide through a crowd with a tray of hot cornbread … Continue reading “Three oinkers wearing pants, plate of hot air, basket of Grandma’s breakfast and change the bull to a gill, got it.”

ReflectionsLeave a comment

Just a thought…

Michael

The  Fruit of the Spirit brings a great picture to my mind. Paul mentions this concept in Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Instead of saying the Christian should be producing each of these virtues individually, Paul says the Christian should be living out the fruit, singular, of the Spirit. These virtues are not produced separately. They are really just different facets of the same “fruit”. I like that word – facet. It reminds me of a bright, clear, colorful, shiny … Continue reading Just a thought…