A PERSONAL PRAYER God, I am not sure exactly what to pray for today. Lots of strong emotions all around. You tell me that if I will just come into your presence, you will hear and understand the greatest need of my heart. My heart breaks as I talk to some people today. I pray for comfort and healing for them. I pray that they don't turn away from you, or from your son Jesus. I know how much you love them, and I know you want them to know that. Show me how to tell them. God I ask forgiveness for [...]

A special called session of the General Conference of the United Methodist denomination will be meeting in St. Louis from Saturday, February 23 – Tuesday, February 26. The purpose of the session is to make decisions regarding whether United Methodist churches or clergy are permitted to hold or officiate at same-sex weddings, and whether Annual Conferences can ordain self-avowed, practicing homosexual men and women. Ordinarily, the General Conference of the church meets every four years, with lay and clergy delegates from Annual Conferences around the world. In the regular session of the General Conference in 2016, a special [...]

Last Sunday, we talked about the vision for all of St. Luke's family of ministries - St. Luke's church, The Story Houston, Gethsemane, Nick Finnegan Counseling Center, St. Luke's Day School and After School and Summer Camps, as well as Bridges Academy. We are all are striving for the vision of "A city transformed by the love of Jesus." Each of those ministries has its own mission statement, all of which work to bring about our common vision. This is our north star, and it is the why we do what we do. This week, we will talk [...]

Our inside-out habits: We pray. We study the Bible. We make friends. We tell our stories. We give ourselves away in generosity and service. Friends, this Sunday I begin a special three-part sermon series sharing a new statement for St. Luke's identity - vision, mission, spiritual journey, and inside-out habits. The sermon series is titled "A City Transformed." It is not a remake of who we are, as it simply gives us new language to talk about who we have always been - a church family that seeks to make an impact outside of our walls. But my hope is that [...]

A PERSONAL PRAYER OK God, I'll admit it. I'm kind of confused. On the one hand, my rabbi Jesus tells me in his sermon on the mount that I am supposed to be a light to the world, so people will see my good works and give you glory. Then, in the very same sermon, Jesus tells me to do my charity work in secret, so secret that my right hand doesn't even know what my left hand is doing. (Sometimes I just want to say to Jesus, as he talks in parables, "make it plain, preacher, make in plain!")  God, [...]

It's Houston Marathon Weekend. We are praying for all of those at St. Luke's who are running this year. Don't forget: LOTS of road closures on Sunday morning, so plan your route to St. Luke's. Here are the road closures: http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/race-weekend/street-closures/  Remember, Christians in Africa walk MILES to get to church. You can leave a little early and figure out how to get here! A PERSONAL PRAYER Gracious God, "Ah, look at all the lonely people..." Eleanor Rigby...  God of love, the Beatles had it right. There are so many lonely people, so many who are starving for love, starving for someone to really see them [...]