Learning
Growth
Unity
Wrestling With Myself
“When I think of all that I have to be thankful for I wonder that you (God) don’t just kill me now because You’ve done so much for me already & I haven’t been particularly grateful.”
What effrontery! Who would dare be so honest as to put such a thought to pencil and paper?
When the Thug Kicks in Your Door
“Calamity” is an interesting word. The dictionary says calamity is…
A state of deep distress or misery caused by a major misfortune or loss.
Calamity doesn’t send an evite with an RSVP request. It refuses to knock and ask permission to enter.
People: Accidental and On Purpose
On the way to our mailbox down the street, I noticed a woman slowly rolling a large tire from her car to the side of her garage. My first thought was, “She shouldn’t be doing that. I’ll unload her tires for her.”
How Great Thou Art! Part 4
Let’s consider time for a while.
Time is the basis for all measurements. The basic unit of length is the distance light travels in a unit of time. Power is defined as the work that can be done in a unit of time.
On Beauty
There are times when I'm out riding my bike, whether running errands or on a tour, when all I see is the 18" in front of my tire. I look down and trudge along. I'm making progress, but it sure feels like a chore.
Telling Stories, Teaching Truth
Several years ago, I sent a sermon CD (many years ago!) to a church searching for an interim pastor. When I heard back from them, they told me that my sermon contained, in their words, “too many stories”.
It’s Graduation Season
Spring dances in and drags with it another season of commencement ceremonies, and along for the ride are graduation speeches. Colleges and Universities compete for the best and most popular to come grace their school with wisdom, wit or, many times, blowhardiness.
You, Too, Can Be a Superhero
A superhero is typically defined as a good person with superhuman powers. But what if a superhero is really just an everyday human who chooses to do good?
Minivan Life
“Never Say Never,” warned a minivan’s bumper as I drove through town the other day. If you have never lived the minivan lifestyle, I can shell the nut for you.
Dogs and Fleas
People say that complaining (howling) is the coin of the realm in any organization. There is never an end to stuff we think should be done better. From my experience, gritching and moaning most often comes when folks are distracted from their mission and focus on smaller targets.
How Great Thou Art! Part 3
Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity gives the relationship between mass and energy and shows that they can be changed into each other. The equation, e = mc² is the basic principle behind the atomic bomb.
The Breath of God
Many churches around the world will commemorate this Sunday, May 28th, as Pentecost Sunday, remembering the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2:1-13. Here are some observations about one of the most important events in church and world history.
The Power of a Mentor
He couldn't have picked me out of a line-up, nor called me over to share a lunch table. As far as I know, I never stood in the same zip code with Tim Keller. Yet, there are few people who have moved my faith life forward as much as him. Last Friday, Tim passed from this life to the presence of Jesus.
What if We Have a Choice in How We Suffer?
When you face hard places, what if you could come out on the other side wiser, kinder, stronger? Would it be worth it? Speaking from experience, yes … not that I go looking for hard things.
How Great Thou Art! Part 2
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Ps 19:1)
If we look to the heavens, our solar system and the universe beyond, we begin to get a glimpse of the majesty of God.
When I Don’t Know What to Do
How often have you been in that place when you are at your end and truly don’t know what to do? I’ve spent plenty of nights in that bad hotel.
4 Tips for Facing Down Fear
If we can remind ourselves—as often as we need to—that life doesn’t end when tragedy or loss occurs. And it doesn’t start when we realize our dreams and goals. Life is here and now, to be noticed and lived with full hearts of gratitude while wearing the courage of Jesus Christ.
How Great Thou Art! Part 1
I went to school as a young boy. They gave me this textbook called "All about numbers". I studied that book and learned it. I learned all the numbers from 1 to 10, I could write them all and recognize them. I knew all about numbers.
With
The king of the universe, the creator of all the seen and unseen worlds, the glue that holds it all together knows your name and desires you to be "with" him.
7 Practical Ways to Invest in Your Marriage
Dan and I are still newlyweds—sort of. But before our newlywed years, we accumulated decades of marital experience. Which means, we learned a thing or two.
So we put our heads together and came up with a list of practical ways we can invest in our marriages—nothing earth-shakingly new, but important reminders.