I pray that the eyes of your heart will have enough light to see what is the hope of God’s call, what is the richness of God’s glorious inheritance among believers.Ephesians 1:18 So Ukraine is in the news. It is a troubling scenario - chilling, with possibly 150,000 Russian troops massing on the border with …
Continue reading Some thoughts – and memories – about Ukraine
Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules?Colossians 2:20 - Rebekah and Derek Maul For me and Rebekah, one impact of COVID has been how often we visit restaurants. We have always had a modest eating out …
Continue reading Should preaching be political, or should it point people to Jesus?
- left-right: Katherine, Brett, Derek, John Sunday morning was a real joy. Rebekah preached an inspirational sermon on "Transformation to Doubt" and our song - Walk Down this Mountain (43-minute mark) - turned out to be the perfect "Amen" at the end of her message. I particularly enjoyed the way the two guitars worked together. …
Continue reading Walking down this mountain, Valentine’s Day, and my American Birthday
First, the "winners" of my "Shouldn't Groundhog Day have a Bernie-Meme?" question (because of course the world absolutely needs more silliness to counter the plague of people who take themselves too seriously). Charles and Michelle Fischer came up with the one on the left and George Dudley made the one on the right. I am …
Continue reading How to Change the World (plus a gratuitous Bernie Groundhog meme)
Servant leadership and the future of - well - everything
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. - Romans 13:8 - writer Derek Maul To be honest, I am a little concerned about my attention span. Or maybe I should say "our" attention span, collectively, because I know it's not just me. …
First, a word from our sponsor (that would be Jesus!) “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. 3 Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 How …
Continue reading my pearls are getting trampled and I’ve got this log in my eye…
A lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all …
Continue reading listening to Jesus in pivotal times (“do this and you will live”)
Christ has set us free for freedom. Therefore, stand firm and don’t submit to the bondage of slavery again. - Galatians 5:1 - author Derek Maul lives and writes in Wake Forest, NC My big challenge this morning is the fact that I do not write about politics in this blog. At the same time, …
My first statement in response to Joe Biden's status as President Elect is that - when it comes to power - the U.S. Constitution is famous for its checks and balances. And, impossible to ignore, the moat significant element of the checks and balances turns out to be the American people. At the same time, …
Derek Maul: Words and Photographs for the Journey 