End times art, seeking God's face, and team traditions that will change your church
5 things worth sharing this week
Hey — It’s Rich and Cass.
We’ve a great day sitting talking to Reuben and Sarah Morgan, dreaming and strategizing for 2026… seems hard to believe we are on the verge of “next year”!!
It’s been a big weekend here. We celebrated 29 years marriage, conducted a wedding, baptized our daughter and participated in our annual family “pudding day”… Christmas traditions are almost in full swing!
Now, here’s 2 ideas from us, 2 snippets from others & 1 spark of inspiration!
TWO IDEAS FROM RICH & CASS
RICH WRITES:
“So much art, music and literature has been written around the “End times”. From Dantes ‘Inferno’, Michael Angelo’s ‘The Last Judgement’ …it’s wild! So last week (as we ended our “Scandal of the Kingdom” sermon series) I attempted to put my own words to the Hope we Christians have and the “End of the World as we know it” (thank you R.E.M.).
I’ve been reading a LOT… watching way too many sermons on YouTube and really thinking deeply about how to ground our Churches thinking in truth when it comes to the End Times.
There’s a lot we don’t know… but one thing we do know… Jesus is coming back!!
If you’re looking for an interesting read over the Christmas period - I’d be so interested in your thoughts on this: 666 and All That: The Truth About the Future”
CASS WRITES:
“At our daughter’s baptism this week, I was so struck by the picture of Jesus that the Gospels paint. In Mark we find him on the banks of the Jordan lining up behind sinners, so that we could inevitably line up behind him in response to his call to “follow me”.
A sinless, holy God, incarnate, lined up with us to be baptized and to identify with our sin, in order that through God’s proclamation “This is my son in whom I am well pleased”, the Father would confirm the Son’s identity and his purpose in front of many.
I can’t stop thinking about that… It’s mind blowing!”
TWO SNIPPETS FROM OTHERS
Some times I wonder what the right way to start the day is. Over the years, I’ve had a book I often return to which helps steer my thoughts, devotions and prayers.
This week I thought I’d share it with you, it’s called “Seeking God’s Face”. The good news is I recently discovered it is a website too, so you can work your way through the Christian Calendar here.
“From the very beginning of the church, Christians have found it helpful to pause for prayer during various times of the day. Whether for morning or evening devotions or other fixed-time prayers, such spiritual respites were deemed essential to worshiping God. Over the years, Christians developed a structure for such moments of worship, keyed to the time of day and season of the year. Part of its genius was the seamless integration of Scripture and prayer. This ancient practice, called the “Daily Office,” has experienced a resurgence of use in our time.
Seeking God’s Face is a user-friendly approach to this form of prayer and devotion. Each office includes a psalm of praise, a passage of Scripture, and a brief set of prayers. An introduction to prayer-book use from Eugene Peterson is included to acclimate readers to this form.”
Source: https://seekinggodsface.org/
Erwin was reflecting on the art of Makoto Fujimura.
“You don’t try to moralize through arts. You create great art, and then you get to share your own story in your own space. The quality of your work gives you the platform and the credibility for the authenticity of your message”.
What do you think of this statement?
Source: TheArtofleadership.com - Erwin McManus
ONE SPARK OF INSPIRATION
In honor of family traditions here is a Ted Talk to make you re-think what it is you celebrate and why. Useful for your family, but also as creative leaders, as we build communities the same principles apply. Traditions build connection, and connection builds a team.
For more input on team building check out this article 10 Often Misused Attributes All Creative Leaders Need in The Worship and Creative Leaders Academy.
We always love to hear from you all… hit reply and say hi!! Or leave a comment below…
Grace and peace,
Cass and Rich
P.S - Got a sec? Forward this to a friend… thanks so much!!
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