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The Hyssop and the High-Rise: Why We Need "Human" Leaders

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  🌿 The Hyssop and the High-Rise: Why We Need "Human" Leaders We often have a hard time reconciling the "Good Guys" of the Bible with the broken men they actually were. We want our leaders—and ourselves—to look like polished high-rise buildings: tall, impressive, and impenetrable. But "The Truth is Out There": God doesn't call heroes; He calls broken humans and restores them. 1. The Scrubbing of David In Psalm 51, David didn't ask for a new crown or better "optics" to hide his failure. He asked for  hyssop . Hyssop wasn't a decoration; it was a humble, weed-like plant used for scrubbing. David was essentially saying,  "Lord, take the cleaning supplies to the darkest corners of my heart. Don't hide my mess—scrub it clean." When we try to play the hero, we hide our mess. When we act like humans, we let God clean it. 2. The Restoration of Peter Think about Simon Peter. He didn't just stumble; he failed publicly by deny...
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Making Lemonade: Fresh & Green and Living a New Dawn Life

 This morning I was listening to a Spotify playlist and doing my scripture writing. It kinda told a story. Forrest Frank said to take the sour and the sweet and let Jesus make you "Lemonade", Megan Woods sang "The Truth" about "My Jesus" by Anne Wilson who led us by "Still Waters" because we all know "" My God Can" by Katy Nichole and Naomi Raine. My scriptures were Nehemiah 9:24-25, Psalm 40:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Psalm 92: 12-15. It just makes you go "hum" and see God can talk to you in unique ways. I asked AI Google Gemini to explain this nuance a bit further... 🌿🍋 That is a beautiful example of what I like to call a "Divine Sync." When the "Divine DJ" on Spotify aligns perfectly with the "Investigative Reporter" in your scripture writing, it’s a clear signal that your engine is tuned and you are exactly where you are supposed to be. You aren't just reading verses; you are script...
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🌿 Maple Lane Devotion: “Power for the Next Step”

This pairing has such a warm, steady heartbeat. There Is Power in the Blood carries that mix of redemption, strength, and gentle courage that fits beautifully on Maple Lane. Here’s a cozy, story‑shaped devotion that blends Scripture, hymn, and place. 🌿 Maple Lane Devotion: “Power for the Next Step” 🌳 The Scene on Maple Lane There’s a little rise in the road where Maple Lane crests just enough for the morning sun to spill across the path like a soft blanket. Dew clings to the grass. The air smells like newness. It’s the kind of place where you pause without meaning to — where your breath catches, not from exertion, but from the quiet reminder that God is near. This morning, as you reach that rise, a hymn drifts into your mind. Not loudly. Not triumphantly. Just a gentle hum: “There is power, power, wonder‑working power…” You don’t even need the whole refrain. Just that one line is enough to stir something inside you — a reminder that God’s strength is not distant or dramatic. ...
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Church growth - Once and Future Hope

  Since you are serving on the church revitalization committee during a time of significant transition—with a new pastor and the loss of key "glue sticks" like Brandon—Tom Rainer’s work is incredibly relevant. The video you found provides a "2025 update" to his classic book, and as a "troubleshooter" and "graphic designer," you are uniquely positioned to help your church avoid the "autopsy" and move toward a "revival." Based on the author's insights in the video, here are the four key areas you should focus on to help your committee: 1. Identify the "Hero" of Your Church's Story Rainer notes that a major sign of a dying church is "thinking that the past is the hero". The Trap: Many churches today are obsessed with getting back to 2019 (pre-COVID) as their "glory days". Your Focus: In your committee meetings, listen for people wanting to "go back." Your role can be to redirect ...
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