journal
Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.
A Great Story…
August 14th, 2008In an earlier journal post, I wrote about Miguel, our sponsor in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He has continued to grow in his ministry and on his last visit to the US, stopped by our office in Franklin, TN. Today he wrote to tell an amazing story. I emailed back and asked permission to share it on my website. Here it is: (more…)
The Whole Story
August 8th, 2008
Francis Schaeffer is known for developing a thoughtful yet passionate apologetic, calling the church to discern the times and recognize the shift in ideas threatening to fracture the foundation of evangelicalism.
The Great Divide
July 4th, 2008At first glance it may not seem like much of a chasm, but rather something easily traversed by just a small step. Yet like many glacial crevices, the depth of separation is indeed significant. I’m referring to the difference between a Christ-centered spirituality and one that puts confidence in human effort.
A ride, a choice and a thrill…
June 22nd, 2008I figure the best way to do a century ride is to not know you are going to do it, and have to make a crucial choice at a fork in the road. I was riding in front, and following close behind were Jason Green, my nephew, and Andrew Monger, his college roommate.
The Big Race
June 19th, 2008Some time ago I saw an add for the Harpeth River Ride, an annual biking event in our area. While one of my goals for the year is to complete a century bicycle ride, I thought the 100k (62 miles) option would be a good first test of endurance. I signed up and have been getting. I’m feeling pretty good about the upcoming challenge.
Showing Kindness
May 31st, 2008
In the midst of recounting David’s role as king of Israel in 2 Samuel, there is a remarkable story; a beautiful picture of the gospel. Here is the passage beginning in chapter 9.
More from Korea…
May 25th, 2008Praying for the Chapman family…
May 23rd, 2008How our hearts break for the great loss and difficulty the Chapman’s are going through. Pray for God’s help, healing and strength. They are a dear family and need wisdom and grace to walk through this tragedy in a very public way.
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Greetings from Korea…
May 22nd, 2008We are in the middle of our South Korea tour and having a wonderful and blessed visit! Here are a few pictures and a link to the Korean Times… (more…)
To Be Chosen
May 15th, 2008Have you every have one of those uneasy playground experiences where members of two teams were being chosen for a game? Self-appointed captains stood opposite the group of anxious participants, sizing up each one, selecting the best candidates who would ensure victory.
Live concert DVD coming soon…
May 11th, 2008We’ve approved the final version of our first ever live concert DVD. All is set to send the master to manufacturing. Keep checking our website for a release date… (more…)
Resurrection Life
April 8th, 2008I can’t remember a more glorious Easter celebration than this past one. On that Sunday morning, the music and the message together were like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds and lighting up the earth. (more…)
The Safest Place
December 31st, 2007Before the candles were blown out, the cheerful onlookers insisted that a wish be made. After hesitating for a moment, the one at the center of attention voiced a desire for “health, wealth, peace and success.” Of course we all clapped as the candles were extinguished, but for a moment I was lost in thought. (more…)
Comments…
December 28th, 2007I’ve decided to open up the comments on my journal page and allow readers to respond if they so wish. The good feedback thus far has been helpful. Thank you. (more…)
Our Town
December 20th, 2007According to TripAdvisor,
Two Kinds of Grief
December 17th, 2007“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2
Extraordinarily Ordinary
October 24th, 2007We are an ‘over the top’ society with an insatiable appetite for the new, improved and best next thing. Our satisfaction with the ordinary has forever been spoiled now that our hunger for the extraordinary has been awakened. (more…)
…and many more
September 24th, 2007A few months ago I was invited to sing with the Nashville Symphony for a special evening of hymns. It turned out to be a wonderful time of worship and encouragement. (more…)
Too Weak to Drink…
August 28th, 2007The third annual festival that the Jews celebrated was the Feast of Tabernacles, a week-long feast to commemorate God’s protection when He brought them out of Egypt. (more…)
Tears…
July 11th, 2007The ceremony was short, and the flower bed burial was somber. Ginger, the hamster had died and now a small cross made of Popsicle sticks marked the shallow mulch grave. (more…)
Maracaibo
June 28th, 2007What goes on in Maracaibo, Venezuela? Well, on June 28, the U.S. soccer team took on Argentina in the Copa America games at a huge stadium. Earlier in June, the city hosted the Junior Panamerican championship for Freestyle, Greco Roman, and Women’s wrestling. How do I know? (more…)
Delight…
June 2nd, 2007Every heart is engaged in an elusive search for true joy and delight. After all, it’s what we were made for. (more…)
Spring is for the birds…(with photos by steve)
May 22nd, 2007I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way I developed a fond affection for our fine feathered friends. Growing up in Argentina, birds were little more than target practice. Thankfully, I only had a slingshot made from a tree limb, inner tube rubber, and shoe leather. And, I wasn’t a very good shot! (more…)
The Relief of the Gospel
March 26th, 2007Those of us who are reading through the Bible this year and have managed to stay on track (this is not meant to produce guilt if you are behind, or pride if you are up to date!), just completed the book of Deuteronomy. (more…)
The Perplexing God - Numbers 20:1-13
March 12th, 2007Charles Spurgeon called this passage one of the most terrible in all of Scripture. I must admit that reading these verses again was unsettling. Have you ever assumed you knew someone and felt safe with them, only to be surprised by their words or actions, suddenly feeling like a total stranger? (more…)
Time to start…
January 4th, 2007At the close of the year, I always become introspective, looking back, assessing the journey through the past twelve months. If you are like me, it is a time for reflection, repentance and a renewed yearning for growth in grace. (more…)
Tender and Terrible
December 23rd, 2006Babies are safe… approachable. How kind of God to come to us in such visible weakness, putting on the rags of humanity, clothing himself in the flesh of an infant so we would not be afraid. (more…)
To Be Told - a reflection
December 6th, 2006
If I had been asked a few weeks ago to tell my story I would have given the familiar points that I’ve rehearsed and shared many times. I thought I knew my story well. (more…)
Leading With a Limp - a response to Dan Allender’s book
October 31st, 2006
I can’t remember the last time I read a book and wept. In part, my tears were from deep conviction. I long to be free from narcissism, fear, dogmatism and the tendency to hide. And partly the tears flowed from a sense of relief. My sin and failure make my story a gospel story rather than merely a successful story or a helpful story. My story of foolishness, redemption, reconciliation and restoration is the canvas that God uses to paint the portrait of His grace. (more…)
Reformation Day
October 31st, 2006On this day in 1517 Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, thus igniting a firestorm within the Catholic church and causing a huge upheaval of distrust in Papal authority. (more…)
Feel your need of Him…
October 25th, 2006I must confess that often, while listening to a sermon, or reading a book, or singing in worship, one phrase or line seems to grab my heart and open up a whole new stream of thought. (more…)
The idol of choice
October 3rd, 2006I have good friends who deal on a daily basis with the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder. Things like distractibility, short attention span, impulsivity or restlessness. The only proper response is compassion and understanding. This morning, it dawned on me that most all of us suffer from another variety of attention deficit. Our souls are concave, self-absorbed, longing for attention. The cry of our hearts is, “please notice me and love me.” That cry is legitimate. We are made for intimacy and desperate for it. In the beginning, God expressed his glorious generosity saying, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…”, creating Adam and Eve to be image-bearers to image forth God’s glory in relationship, first with himself, and then with his creatures and creation. (more…)
Thoughts on Astonishment…
September 6th, 2006Luke 2:47
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Twelve years had passed since the angels burst upon a Bethlehem hillside with the announcement that Immensity imprisoned in a virgin’s womb had been born, that the Most High had come to be Immanuel, God with us. For such an earth shattering beginning, the Biblical silence about Jesus’ childhood leaves us wanting some glimpse into his early years. The first one we get is at age 12. (more…)
Life Lessons at the Trash Center
February 28th, 2006Every community should have a trash convenience center. Ours is a one-stop wonder with huge recycling bins, a cardboard compactor, a container for metal, one for construction waste, another for untreated lumber and two large compactors for household trash. At the back of the property is an attended Goodwill drop-off trailer. What more does one need? The added bonus is that the dump is also a connecting point of sorts; a place to philosophize, share small talk, catch up with neighbors and even track the passing chapters of life. (more…)
Covenantal Renewal In Worship
September 17th, 2005Isaiah 6: 1-9
What does real worship look like? O, I know the physical characteristics that are usually associated with worship; intimate expressions of the heart, faces turned upwards, hands held high, and eyes closed in undistracted attention. I too, have been transported to the heavenlies and deeply affected while worshiping. Yet, when the songs have ended and the service is over, what then? Does worship have a higher purpose and a longer lasting design than we’ve realized? (more…)
Numbers Nickels, And The Cross
May 10th, 2005Is anyone else troubled by the church’s frenzy to post good statistics? And why is it that when someone uses the phrase, “evangelistically speaking” we all know what they mean? Regardless of whether its baptisms, professions of faith, crusade attendance or people reached, we are dreadfully afraid of unimpressive numbers. The system has to keep going. Donors want to feel that their gifts are making a difference. I heard of one man who was looking to support the ministry that could offer him the most souls per dollar. So, leaders prepare convincing brochures and send out exciting updates because after all, who wants to give to a loser or a ministry that seems to be unproductive? (more…)
New Years Letter
January 1st, 2005As the New Year rolled in, people around the world offered one another a traditional greeting, each in their own language. Though the usual celebrations were overshadowed by the tragic devastation of the tsunami, there remained a universal desire that the New Year would bring fulfillment, contentment and joy. Regardless of the differences in culture, the customary greetings have something to do with a wish for personal happiness and prosperity. We say, “Happy New Year.” In Latin America the hope is for ” un prospero A ño Nuevo.” (more…)
Columbia Trip
December 16th, 2004Dear Friends,
On the morning of October 25th David and I met with 400 pastors and leaders for breakfast at The Tequendama Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Bogotá, Columbia . Rafael Afanador, our host, had asked that we schedule a day of meetings and interviews in preparation for the upcoming week of concerts being called The Reconciliation of Columbia. (more…)
Holy Laughter
October 28th, 2004It was not until laugher became the focal point of many religious services and the subject of much debate that I began to consider it from God’s perspective. Certainly, laughter is a gift. Each person’s laugh is unique. God has made us to bubble over in a strange combination of squeals, snorts and cackles when our pleasure cannot be contained. We enjoy a good joke, the unexpected twist in a story line, or the characterization of our human idiosyncrasies. It feels good to laugh. Yet, as with all pleasures and gifts, there is the potential for misuse. Think of those whose sinister laughter flows from darkened hearts. Comedy clubs and shows are full of (more…)
