Blog
image from beerboard.tv.jpg
I realize some of my socially conservative readers may not fully agree with the topic of this post, but I encourage you to read on. Beer brewing provides a metaphor for how spiritual formation, or following Jesus, gets sidetracked so easily, often without our knowledge. Enjoy the message even as you avoid the brew. For those who make home brew, you’ll quickly get the point! For those who imbibe but don’t brew, you’ll like it too!
Read More
image from museyci.io
God and I have an unusual approach/avoidance issue. I love him and am drawn to him, yet simultaneously draw back. I see the threat he represents to my complacency and self will, and resist those changes. Ironically, unless I resolve that paradox, I’ll be torn, stuck in the middle, and will never receive the best he offers. Worst of all, I know that. Deeply…
Read More
Picture of NYC by Arcaid Images
When surrounded by works of mankind, we can easily impress ourselves—with ourselves. Last fall Sheila and I make an east coast trek, and the skyscrapers of New York City astounded me. Towering buildings based on solid bedrock. Every square inch seeming used. Honestly, I felt pretty proud to be part of the human race that could craft such a place. But pride…
Read More
image from 4.bp.blogspot.com
Yeah, I’ve reached 71, and that explains it some. Add much too much loud rock and roll in earlier years, dancing right in front of the speakers to sense the vibration in my chest, and together they explain my frequent, “Can you please repeat that?” Not quite bad enough for artificial ears, but enough to bother me some. I find myself copying my mom—when she didn’t hear what someone said, she’d smile and nod her head, praying she didn’t commit herself unknowingly. But …
Read More
image from Let’s Talk Coaching
God created us as physical creatures in a physical world, and that’s good. I love the slow melting of dark chocolate held in my mouth. The cleansing experienced riding the motorcycle. The joy of embracing my wife. These, and so much more. But we also face physical frustrations. How do we balance them?
Read More
Image from Immanuel Bible Church
Pain from a broken leg keeps us from doing more damage to the injury. So we limp to see a doc and get it casted to enable healing. We don’t all break our legs, but we do sin. Perhaps, just wondering, but does guilt serve a similar role spiritually for those times?
Read More
image by bio.miami.edu
The cushy beds in the tent trailer at Convict Lake claimed my son-in-law and grandson as I rose alone at early dawn to entice the trout in the creek. Yes, I caught a few. But better than the rainbows was the reminder of God’s patience. Mountain mornings bring a unique freshness. Something about being immersed in God’s creation makes me more aware of him, and the following flowed from…
Read More
image by patheos
Some wit once compared the church to Noah’s ark, we couldn’t stand the conditions inside if it weren’t for those outside. That haunts me. Research reveals that over half of self-identified Christians have no connection with a larger group of followers—meaning we may have more Christians outside the church than inside. The church that Jesus died to create.So...
Read More