Learning
Growth
Unity
Just Too Heavy
Every one of us has, is, or will face stressful times that tempt us to call a time-out...or the paramedics. If I asked you to name the stressors in your life, most can reel off a parade of people and situations that cause you heartburn.
Three Cheers for the Bible, Part 3
After the gospels, the remainder of the New Testament is a beautiful collection of Luke’s account of early church history, epistles (weighty, instructional letters) from various apostles, and the apocalyptic Revelation.
Why is this collection so important? What would our faith look like without them?
All Will Be New
Our church family lost a young man last week, and it has deeply saddened our congregation. Joel was the oldest son of a fine family of eight. He was 21 and ready to graduate this winter from OSU and had a wonderful future ahead of him. Tragically, he fell while climbing North Sister with his girlfriend and he perished.
The Longest Verse in the Bible
What is the longest verse in the Bible?
Esther 8:9 is generally considered to be the longest verse in the Bible. It contains about 71 words, depending on the transition.
Revelation 20:4 is the second longest verse, with 68 words.
When Christians Disagree
It’s no secret that Christians sometimes don’t get along. Like in all human relationships, conflict is inevitable, normal, and expected. But what happens when Christians sharply disagree on matters of practice and preference?
Wishful Thinking
Think again of that message from Jesus toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount when he says,
“So whatever you wish that others would do for you, do also to them, this is the essence of all that is taught in the Law and the Prophets.
Going Home
A handful of years ago I rode my bicycle across the country. Claudia and I flew to Virginia, where I had shipped my bike, and after dipping my rear wheel in the Atlantic (truthfully, it was the Chesapeake Bay), I started turning pedals and headed west…toward home.
Should We Get Rid of Small-Picture Thinking?
There’s a piece of art near the footbridge in Farewell Bend Park that isn’t exactly what you would call beautiful. Old hinges, cogs, screwdrivers. Parts of plows. Gear shift knobs.
I Am
It's a strange name. Jehovah, the God of Israel, revealed this name to Moses when he stood before the burning bush, with his shoes removed. The name, I'm sure, was very significant to Moses at that time.
Before
There is a lesson for us to glean from an interesting relational story midway through the book of Genesis.
How to Make This Day Count
One of the things I tried to do during my first husband’s declining months was set aside projects—which isn’t natural for this project-oriented girl—and simply be present for him. Reading companionably together. Playing Words with Friends. Trying new recipes to entice him to eat.
The Three of Me
In a self-published book titled, Uncommon Thoughts on Commonly Held Beliefs, Glenn Murray in one chapter discusses our identity. Who we portray to our world, who we are on the inside, then how God sees us.
Three Cheers for the Bible, Part 2
Continuing from April’s three-cheer celebration of the Bible, this month’s entry is the star of the show—the gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; four related but unique accounts of the earthly ministry of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior, the Redeemer, the King of Kings.
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.