Building One Another

Building One Another is a weekly letter of encouragement I write to encourage your heart in Christian discipleship as well as your ministry in the service of Jesus Christ. The letters are short. Read each as you receive them. These letters are each one page long when printed. Create a folder in your e-mail to easily save and use them for future reference. Forward to friends, as appropriate. Reread for personal encouragement, use for brainstorming, or for handouts for small groups and Bible study classes.

THIS WEEK'S MESSAGE: JOY'S DELIGHT Vol 11 No 4 - February 7, 2012
What gives you joy and refreshes your heart? The Apostle Paul gave us a window into what brought joy’s delight to his heart and it certainly will bring it to yours and mine as well.

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OUR LIVES Vol 11 No 3 - January 31, 2012
One of the loveliest comments in the writings of the Apostle Paul is his word to the Christians in the town of Thessalonica:
“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.” I Thessalonians 2:8
TURN, SERVE, WAIT Vol 11 No 2 - January 24, 2012
Occasionally while reading Scripture for the shear pleasure of opening ourselves to a word from the Lord who loves us we come across a wonderful pithy summary of the life of faith.
COME ALONGSIDE Vol 11 No 1 - January 5, 2012
It is so easy at the beginning of a new year to find ourselves so immersed in the pressing demands of the moment that “large life-building thoughts for the coming year,” much less any “resolutions” we may have considered, are quickly washed away.
WONDER-FULL Vol 10 No 29 - December 20, 2011
When is the last time something so moved you that you simply felt “wonder?”
OPEN HEART OPEN DOOR Vol 10 No 28 - December 13, 2011
December is often a time of more social gatherings in the life of the church and in our worlds of work, local neighborhoods, friends, and families.
OCCUPY THE NEIGHBORHOOD Vol 10 No 27 - October 25, 2011
The Occupy movement has captured the attention of many cities around the world with its focus on economic injustice and its method of literally occupying a place in order to make a point.
WHO IS JESUS? Vol 10 No 26 - October 11, 2011
“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.’” Matthew 16:15-17*
GRATEFUL Vol 10 No 25 - September 20, 2011
As a graduate student at Purdue and a person of new Christian faith, the church was yet to become an essential facet of my Christian life. Looking for a K-Mart one Sunday morning I managed to get lost and drove up in front of Covenant Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m.
FOLLOWING Vol 10 No 24 - September 13, 2011
Yesterday I realized I was following a car whose license plate said, "His W1ll."
THE TRUST TEST Vol 10 No 23 - August 30, 2011
When you face a challenging situation for which no resolution is apparent, what goes through your mind and emotion?
DWELL IN THE LAND Vol 10 No 22 - August 16, 2011
Riding to an airport with a friend and co-worker I asked what she would be doing the coming weekend. She replied, “I am going to dwell in the land,” just as the Psalm says, “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37:3*
THE VOICE Vol 10 No 21 - August 9, 2011
Every voice is unique. You are the only person in all of time and eternity who sounds just like you.
MOOD Vol 10 No 20 - August 2, 2011
Do you ever find yourself sitting around feeling tired and someone walks up to you or phones you and you are just not in the mood to attend to them? Jesus seemed to have had that experience.
LOOK-A-HIM Vol 10 No 19 - July 26, 2011
My grandfather used to refer to some people as a “look-a-me.” A “look-a-me” is a person whose bearing, speech, and attitudes all say, “Look at the wonderfulness of me.”
ACKNOWLEDGE Vol 10 No 18 - July 19, 2011
I once walked into our kitchen and saw our fourteen-month old child very rapidly sit on something. It turned out to be a Magic Marker that had been happily used to draw on the floor!
POINT OUT Vol 10 No 17 - July 12, 2011
Perhaps the clearest and easiest way to bear witness to the reality of God and the person of Jesus was modeled by John the Baptist.
MENTOR Vol 10 No 16 - June 14, 2011
Yesterday I had the joy of meeting Anne Ortlund.   Her books and those of her husband, Ray, have had a mentoring role in my life, helping me grow in an understanding of the Christian life.
NEVERTHELESS Vol 10 No 15 - June 7, 2011
If you have ever been in a low place you know the person who said the following words to God was at one time the lowest of the low, upset in spirit, and unresponsive to the Lord who loved him.
A VERY GOOD WORD Vol 10 No 14 - May 24, 2011
At times life can be remarkably demanding and confusing. When Jesus saw a crowd he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless – just as so many of us feel this day about whatever situation we may find ourselves in.
FIRE! Vol 10 No 13 - May 3, 2011
During the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, the Bishop of London quoted Catherine of Siena as saying, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
THE ROCK THAT IS HIGHER Vol 10 No 12 - April 26, 2011
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed by something going on in your life, in the life of someone you care about or in the wider world?
WALKING WITH JESUS Vol 10 No 11 - April 19, 2011
I imagine you find yourself traveling regularly since we live in a traveling culture. I am on the road enough that at times I sing the old road songs like Simon and Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound,” Roger Miller’s “King of the Road,” and John Denver’s “Leaving on a Jet Plane.”
FOLLOW Vol 10 No 10 - April 12, 2011
As we approach the celebration of Palm Sunday I love to reflect on what happened as Jesus left Jericho, his final stop on the way to the trial awaiting him in Jerusalem.
A TRUMPET Vol 10 No 9 - March 29, 2011
The Apostle Paul said these amazing words about those in the town of Thessalonica: “The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it.” I Thessalonians 1:8*
WAIT Vol 10 No 8 - March 15, 2011
There are many immense things to ponder that are dominating today’s world stage from the tremendous unrest in the Middle East to the ongoing devastation and trauma of Japan.
WONDER Vol 10 No 7 - March 8, 2011
Every now and then when reading the Gospels, the good news story of Jesus, I come across a sentence I have read many times that just leaps off the page as if I had never seen it before.
EYES OF FAITH Vol 10 No 6 - March 1, 2011
We may think of bearing witness to the reality of God and the person of Jesus as something we do to awaken those who have not entered Christian faith but it is also a wonderful way to encourage your own life and others who share faith in Jesus with you.
FAITH SHIFT Vol 10 No 5 - February 15, 2011
Question: One what basis do you expect a promise to be kept? Answer: On the basis of the integrity, ability and trustworthiness of the promise maker.
EVERY MOMENT Vol 10 No 4 - February 8, 2011
Do you find yourself compartmentalizing your life?
THE LINGERING MEAL Vol 10 No 3 - February 1, 2011
In America, the restaurant check is brought as soon as you finish eating. The goal is to “turn the table” and pack in more customers. In other countries such as France and Mexico, the waiter won’t bring you the check until you ask for it. The goal is to linger and to enjoy the company of others.
DWELL IN THE WORD Vol 10 No 2 - January 18, 2011
The verse below written by the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian Church is quite remarkable.
SERVE Vol 10 No 1 - January 4, 2011
What is your prayer to our Lord as you enter into the New Year? I find the words of John Baille from his Diary of Private Devotion (Day 3), immensely helpful. I encourage you to pray this prayer making his words your words.
A TIME TO PONDER Vol 9 No 41 - December 21, 2010
There are moments in life when our Lord breaks into our everyday lives with such force that we cannot help but take notice and ponder the reality of the presence of the Lord who loves us.
COMFORT AND JOY Vol 9 No 40 - December 7, 2010
I was stuck following a school bus early this morning. You know how I was feeling because I have used the word, “stuck!”
THE GRACE CYCLE Vol 9 No 39 - November 23, 2010
A cycle is a pattern of reoccurring events. Consider the two-stage “Grace Cycle” of the first words of the Doxology, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”
COUNTING DAYS Vol 9 No 38 - November 16, 2010
Last week I had the opportunity to visit the Ott Family Cemetery.
A BRUISED REED Vol 9 No 37 - November 9, 2010
When you are feeling a bit beat up in life where do you turn for help and hope?
VOTE! Vol 9 No 36 - November 2, 2010
Today is Election Day in the United States of America.
ONE-ONE-ONE PRAYER Vol 9 No 35 - October 26, 2010
Some time ago a leader at Willow Creek, whose name I wish I remembered, taught a wonderful kind of prayer called the One-One-One prayer covenant.
STRONG KNEES! Vol 9 No 34 - October 19, 2010
How do you handle a difficult challenge? Do you face and embrace it? Do you race away from it?
Water Vol 9 No 33 - October 5, 2010
I noticed a growing pile of dried leaves under a large bush next to our porch out back. I thought it was a bit strange and gave it no more thought as I swept the leaves away.
EXPECT! Vol 9 No 32 - September 28, 2010
What do you expect your own life will be like a year from now?
POEM Vol 9 No 31 - September 21, 2010
One of the beautiful verses in the Bible says, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10*
FELLOWSHIP Vol 9 No 30 - September 14, 2010
As the fall busyness gets underway it is the perfect time to consider the priorities in our daily and weekly calendars.
GENERATIONS Vol 9 No 29 - September 7, 2010
Ann Marie and I are visiting our new twin grandsons for the very first time!
EVANGELISM Vol 9 No 28 - August 24, 2010
At its heart evangelism is proclamation, the announcing of the good news of Jesus.
GREATNESS Vol 9 No 27 - August 10, 2010
Some years ago I heard the wonderful Quaker theologian, Elton Trueblood, preach to a congregation with the opening words, “God will make you great!”
TWO BY TWO Vol 9 No 26 - August 3, 2010
There are times we are alone because we choose to be alone. On the other hand think of the things you have done alone in the last few days in which you could have had someone with you.
ONLY Vol 9 No 25 - July 27, 2010
One day I was talking with a woman about God who told me that she believed that all religions worship the same God.
MENTORING Vol 9 No 24 - July 20, 2010
Think of the people who have invested themselves in you helping you become the person you are today.
BUNGEE JUMPING Vol 9 No 23 - July 13, 2010
The national gathering of leaders from my Christian denomination met last week. I found myself in a series of remarkably varied experiences and emotions that were often the opposite of each other.
INCENDIARY Vol 9 No 22 - June 29, 2010
I love it that missionary Jim Elliott wrote in his diary, “Am I ignitable?” upon reading Hebrews 1:7,* “He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.”
FACE-TO-FACE Vol 9 No 21 - June 15, 2010
I have been thinking about the ways in which some of our interpersonal relationships are being affected by the use of online social media such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs and a host of other such means of connecting with people.
ONE-OFF Vol 9 No 20 - June 8, 2010
I hear the interesting term “one-off” used in a variety of contexts today. It means that which is one of a kind, singular or unique.
OUR STILL POINT Vol 9 No 19 - June 1, 2010
Sometimes life feels like a form of emotional bungee jumping as we bounce up and down experiencing the joys that pull us up and the anxieties that pull us down.
PRAY, WORK AND WAIT Vol 9 No 18 - May 26, 2010
What do you do when life is suddenly turbulent and things are moving at a rapid pace in directions over which you have little control?
SECURITY Vol 9 No 17 - May 18, 2010
When we announced the birth of our first born to my parents many years ago, my Dad said he was having “patriarchal feelings!” I never quite knew what he meant – until now!
REMEMBRANCE Vol 9 No 16 - May 11, 2010
Yesterday I walked among the headstones of the Ott Family Cemetery in Louisiana where some five generations of my family have been buried.
INSTRUMENTALITY Vol 9 No 15 - May 4, 2010
Consider the opening words of the great poem of St. Francis of Assisi. “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace...
LOOK UP! Vol 9 No 14 - April 27, 2010
Last weekend my son, Lee, and I walked the magnificent terrain of Yosemite National Park.
YIELD Vol 9 No 13 - April 20, 2010
Struggling to resolve a number of issues in my mind and asking our Lord for wisdom in the midst of my uncertainty, I took a long walk along a quiet road that led me to a roadside pond of water.
THE ULTIMATE EYE OPENER Vol 9 No 12 - April 6, 2010
We know the promise of Jesus that those who seek find but what happens if you aren’t seeking?
GOD'S VISITATION Vol 9 No 11 - March 30, 2010
Have you ever thought about the range of Jesus’ feelings on Palm Sunday?
YES! Vol 9 No 10 - March 16, 2010
How do you feel when someone keeps a promise or breaks one?
OUR PERSONAL GOD Vol 9 No 9 - March 2, 2010
When I was in seminary I made an appointment with one of my professors and asked the question, "Do you believe that God is both personal and infinite?"
DISTRACTION Vol 9 No 8 - February 23, 2010
I was walking down the street on a pretty day with fluffy white clouds floating in a stunning blue sky and birds chirping in the trees – while staring down at my smartphone – when it hit me, “What are you doing?”
UNITY Vol 9 No 7 - February 16, 2010
I find the pair figure skating competition of the Olympics utterly captivating.
FAITHFUL Vol 9 No 6 - February 9, 2010
Job speaks of a lifestyle that faithfully reflects the character of God that applies well to us all.
COME! Vol 9 No 5 - February 2, 2010
How do you feel about asking someone to be with you in some endeavor?
PRAYER PARTNER Vol 9 No 4 - January 26, 2010
One of the most encouraging spiritual disciplines available to us all is the idea of a prayer partner.
HAITI Vol 9 No 3 - January 19, 2010
Twice this week I was forcefully reminded that while we may fret over a variety of matters, the vast majority of us have our basic needs met and often much more than our basic needs met.
TRUST Vol 9 No 2 - January 12, 2010
Do you ever feel restless, anxious, fretful about things going on in your life?
WARMTH Vol 9 No 1 - January 5, 2010
On Sunday we went to church on a very windy, very cold eleven degree day!
REFLECT Vol 8 No 49 - December 29, 2009
There are few better times to reflect on your life – where you have been – where you are going – than the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day!
INVITE Vol 8 No 48 - December 22, 2009
I love the music of Christmas! It is so deeply invitational.
AWARE Vol 8 No 47 - December 15, 2009
This past Saturday my daughter and I were shopping at a major department store. It felt like everyone on the planet was in the store and shopping was a hassle.
GOD'S OPENINGS Vol 8 No 46 - December 8, 2009
I dropped into my favorite bread and coffee shop.
SEE! Vol 8 No 45 - December 1, 2009
How aware are you of the work of God in and around your life?
STOP Vol 8 No 44 - November 24, 2009
I love Thanksgiving!
HESED Vol 8 No 43 - November 17, 2009
How do you react when a fellow Christian grieves you, deceives you, hurts you?
NEXT TO Vol 8 No 42 - November 10, 2009
As I write this I am flying to a city where coworker will join me. A great question for any endeavor you find yourself engaged in is, “Who is with me?”
TRANSFORMATION Vol 8 No 41 - November 3, 2009
It is easy for Christians, especially those who have been clear about their faith in Jesus and who have attended church for years, to develop a casual approach to the Bible, the Scriptures.
SLEEP Vol 8 No 40 - October 27, 2009
How is your sleep? At times in my life I have slept all night “like a baby” and at other times have found myself wide awake at four a.m. and not a happy camper!
GOD GIVES! Vol 8 No 39 - October 20, 2009
Life is going smoothly along. You are faithfully involved in worship and in the spiritual practices of the faith. And you run into a brick wall. What gives?
PEOPLE Vol 8 No 38 - October 13, 2009
I remember vividly the time years ago when I proudly told my father of a number of successful programs I was leading.
BALANCE Vol. 8 No. 37 - September 29, 2009
On an airplane this week the person next to me ...
LOOK UP Vol 8 No 36 - September 23, 2009
When a situation you must contend with arises, what are your first thoughts?
SACRED RHYTHMS Vol 8 No 35 - September 15, 2009
Years ago Edward Bosworth said, "What gets your attention gets you!"
LABOR Vol 8 No 34 - September 8, 2009
In his "Diary of Private Prayer" John Baillie offers a prayer on behalf of: "the overworked who have no joy of leisure; the unemployed who have no joy of labor."* In our day...
KNOWLEDGE Vol 8 No 33 - September 1, 2009
How do you know what you know?
COUNSEL Vol 8 No 32 - August 25, 2009
If your Mom or Dad were very wise but no longer around and you faced a major decision, would you heed the counsel of the people who counseled your parents or the counsel of your best buddies?
OPEN DOORS, Vol 8 No 31 - August 18, 2009
Acts 12 tells the story of two people who faced very difficult situations. “About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had...
CRY TO THE LORD, Vol 8 No 30 - August 10, 2009
If you are down and out there is genuine hope for you! Psalm 107 begins with...
LIVE IN CHAPTERS, Vol 8 No 29 - August 4, 2009
When the wonderful Quaker theologian Elton Trueblood was around eighty years old and I was about thirty, I remember him saying, “Young man, live your life in chapters.”   He went on to...
HERE I AM, Vol 8 No 28 (Part 2) - July 28, 2009
I imagine you have had the experience of being called to serve and had mixed feelings about saying, “yes – here I am – willing to do your bidding!” When God calls...

HERE I AM, Vol 8 No 27 (Part 1) - July 20, 2009
Consider these life-changing moments as recorded in Scripture: God called to Abraham saying, ...
PRECIS, Vol 8 No 26 - June 29, 2009
A précis is a condensation, a short summary of the main points of something.
Psalm 73 offers....
THE LORD IS NEAR, Vol 8 No 25 - June 22, 2009
Do you know of Christians who disagree with one another? I know you do! Writing the Philippians...
SEND AND BE SENT, Vol 8 No 24 - June 15, 2009
Summertime is frequently a time of moving. Graduates from high school and college may move to a new life in new location. People take jobs in other communities and so on.
PROMISES, Vol 8 No 23 - June 9, 2009
When our children were little we learned how literally they took our words.
BE GLAD, Vol 8 No 22 - June 1, 2009
Do you ever feel jealous when another gathering of God’s people is growing?
MERCY, Vol 8 No 21 - May 26, 2009
The Psalms teach us that David at one time was proud of his life and other times immensely sad concerning his own behavior. How about you?
POSITIONING, Vol 8 No 20 - May 18, 2009
Think of the times you have found yourself with someone who went on to have a great impact on your life or you a great impact on his or her life.
GOD'S TASTE AND SEE, Vol 8 No 19 - May 12, 2009
Where do you find hope when your life is in a world of hurt?

GOD'S FIREWORKS, Vol 8 No 18 - May 5, 2009
Driving through the suburbs of northern Virginia on a rainy day, my mind and mood centered on a number of pressing matters when I was suddenly aware of the brilliantly, beautiful, spring blossoms on every side of the road.

HELPER, Vol 8 No 17 - April 27, 2009
Imagine you are Wile E. Coyote tearing down a road after the Road Runner when all of a sudden the Road Runner with a “Beep Beep” zips straight up just as a glass wall pops up on the roadway and you smash right into it – and you slowly slide down the glass and on to the roadway.
WHEN YOU TURN, Vol 8 No 16 - April 21, 2009
What are you to do after our Lord carries you through a rough time?

PRAYED FOR!, Vol 8 No 15 - April 13, 2009
Have you ever felt sifted like wheat?
THE MAGNIFICENT GAP, Vol 8 No 14 - April 7, 2009
The apostle John marvelously captures the drama of Easter morning when he (assuming he is the “other disciple”) and Peter race to the tomb.

JESUS' TEARS, Vol 8 No 13 - March 30, 2009
We know of two times Jesus wept. Do you know what they are?
INTO JESUS, Vol 8 No 12 - March 23, 2009
Last week we looked at the interesting way the Gospel of John in the Greek language speaks of believing “into” Jesus and not simply believing “in” Jesus as it appears in English translations.
BELIEVE INTO, Vol 8 No 11 - March 17, 2009
Dozens of times in the Gospel according to John we read the words “believe in.”
GUIDANCE, Vol 8 No 10 - March 10, 2009
Last week I wrote of mulling over whether to try to make a scheduled flight or re-book for the next day knowing a major snow storm was coming.
GOD'S WILL, Vol 8 No 9 - March 3, 2009
On Sunday, knowing a major snow storm was heading into the area, I drove to church mulling over whether to stick with an airplane flight scheduled to depart right after the storm was to end or push it back one day.
OUR STILL POINT, Vol 7 No 14 - April 1, 2008
Years ago, poet T.S. Eliot made famous the phrase, “the still point of the turning world.”

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