Greetings!
This will be quick. I actually considered not “DHD-ing” this week, but I knew I’d regret it if did not do my weekly expression through a group of six.
Thanks for reading!
- A reviving Kansas church during pandemic
I loved reading this Baptist Press article, “3-member church closed during COVID-19 finds new life”
I enjoy stories of churches that are near disbandment but find a way to recover and begin thriving.
Churches close all the time, everywhere. Baptist Messenger reports on churches disbanding often. It can be discouraging.
But when a church faces closing its doors but finds a way to stay open or reopen, it can be quite inspiring.
Such is the case of this church in Linwood, Kan. The back story is great, involving a real estate agent who was a member of another church, wanting to see this local body of believers keep going.
God works through unexpected ways. This story proves that.
- ‘God disguised as Michael Jordan’
I watched all the episodes of The Last Dance, the series about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the late ‘90s.
I was not a Jordan fan, even though I respected him as the phenomenal player that he is. I just liked different teams during his prime.
The thing that most disappointed me about the ESPN series is the language. Profanity hinders whatever you’re trying to communicate to my ears.
The series had its interesting moments. I do enjoy finding out the “behind-the-scenes” of historical aspects or getting the “inside scoop” about why things happen as they did. One example from The Last Dance was finding out Jordan had food poisoning from eating a pizza night before the game that had been known as Jordan’s “Flu Game” against Utah in the NBA Finals.
Check out Paul Putz’s article “God disguised as Michael Jordan” for a perspective of how fans and observers view Jordan, as well as an application of viewing God and lesser gods.
- ‘Why we miss congregational singing”
I love this article! I can affirm that I do miss singing with fellow Christians. It’s a powerful setting and the closest we can experience heaven here on earth.
Joe Deegan’s conclusions are excellent.
“Singing reminds us that there is a powerful, supernatural, magical force behind creation, and that force has invited us to engage with him in a powerful, supernatural and magical way. We were designed by God to sing.”
- Ryan remembers Ravi
Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias died this week, and Ryan Smith’s tribute may be the best I’ve read. Check out Ryan’s blog “Remembering Ravi Zacharias.”
“The ever-present temptation for Christians is our desire to win an argument, silence a critic or be puffed up in our own knowledge. For that we must repent. In Ravi Zacharias, God gifted the church with an example of what it looks like to listen to an argument, embrace a critic or be humbled by the knowledge God in His grace has revealed to us.”
- ‘Sitting till bedtime’
“The earth is remaking rotten produce, animal waste, and our own bones into fresh soil. During this nightmare season, when so many of those we love are having to die alone, sitting till bedtime seems an act of renewal, a way of cultivating common life in a lonely world.”
This is Blake Mayes’ conclusion to his article “Sitting Till Bedtime.” Some of his example activities of “sitting” would not meet my preferences, but I definitely appreciate his intention of “accumulating memories” and “preconditions of renewed life.”
Sitting with family and neighbors is not very common today. This is a practice that has picked up with the pandemic, at least in my experiences and from hearing others share. If nothing else, the proposal of sharing life with others during a wrap-up time of the day can be healthy—and also could lead to sharing the Gospel.
- Having surgery
The reason for being brief and early this week is I am about to experience oral surgery this morning. I’m getting a dental implant, replacing an infected tooth that had a root canal back in my 20s. Compared to others’ health, this is extremely minor in the grand scheme. But as I have said often, the difference between major surgery and minor surgery is whether or not it is happening to you.
Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend!
