http://www.bigexistence.com/articles Big Existence Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:11:31 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en During our nightly prayer several years ago, our daughter, Sara, thanked Jesus for doorknobs.  At first, I thought it strange, but then it dawned on me why she would be thankful.  Sara had just learned how to turn a knob and open a door.  Once the door was open, there ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/a-prayer-for-doorknobs/ “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify You”  (John 17:1 NIV). Think of what “the time” meant to Jesus: betrayal of one who walked with Him for 3 years, injustice through the court system, flogging, mocking, beatings, His best friends abandoning and denying Him, nails ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/the-time/ If you want to make music, you have to learn how to play an instrument.  And in the beginning, it doesn’t sound too good – all the squawks and squeaks and bad timing.  You really are on your way to making music.  It just sounds like you are strangling a ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/review-walking-with-god/ I just returned from a walk in the neighborhood, but it was different than all other walks. I was walking about 20 feet behind a neighbor, an African American man in his mid 50s, who was walking his two dogs. The man stopped for a brief moment to stretch his ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/one-of-the-greatest-leadership-lessons/ The number one reason why young adults 18-22 leave the church is because they simply wanted a break from church. And I believe this speaks more to the condition of the church than it does the hearts of this generation. More is revealed in my book, Essential Church? (to be ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/give-me-a-break/ The following article is an excerpt from Sam's upcoming book, Essential Church, which will be released by B&H Publishing this September. I loathe inefficiencies.  I detest giving up my time.  I know every function of Microsoft Outlook.  I've been known to plan vacations in spreadsheets in fifteen minutes increments, including travel ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/a-different-kind-of-community/ Over the past years, many famous people have dominated the headlines: Brittney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, Heath Ledger, the Governor of New York, baseball players, the Detroit mayor, senators, ect..  Why are they in the news?  Sexual promiscuity, money scandals, suicide, drugs, alcohol abuse.  Oprah just started a study group with ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/made-for-stardom/ When I was in the corporate world, my boss would sometimes jokingly use a purple pen to review my work.  He was poking fun at the fact that some school systems think red might be took offensive of a color with which to grade.   Such is our culture.  We hate to tell ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/the-church-and-the-purple-pen/ This is one of an eight-part series about a Southern man and his journey to New York City in 2001, sent there by God's calling.  These writings are based off his personal journal.  The day was September 11, 2001,  and I was meeting with a man about buying my car.  We had agreed ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/nyc-part-2-of-8/ I was home for lunch, very typical of me.  I never have understood those who like to each at the office, those who choose not to get a breath of fresh air, to take their mind some place other than work. Following my normal routine, I had just about finished ... http://www.bigexistence.com/articles/index.php/the-thief/