Almost a year ago, my good friend John Southwood and I journeyed north to the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. John had a book concept—on the much-needed topic of integrity, based on Job. Not long after, some issues arose that the doctors diagnosed as brain cancer. Just last Saturday, that cancer took John’s physical life even as he received a full healing. Yeah, I’m a bit jealous, but my day will come. Many of you knew John, many of you prayed for him this year and I so appreciate that. Our lives have been entwined since…
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Secrets of Serenity
Most of us enjoy serenity. Yeah, I love the adrenaline rush of hitting 112 in a Lamborghini Gallardo 550 just before a 170-degree turn, or riding 1,080 miles in one day on the bike, but I also need the times to relax, to just sit, to enjoy God’s creation. Today was an example—after awesome worship and a great Mexican lunch, we headed to our winery to chill. This pic shows my wineglass and the view. Serenity. I also love Facebook…
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A Revealing Life
What is Unconventional all about? It’s purpose? To see God in the details of life. To let our faith touch each dimension. Here’s some wise advice from a friend on how to do that.
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image from flexjobs
Juggling Life
A year after Dad retired, he semi-jokingly said he couldn’t understand how he used to do all his daily duties in addition to a full-time job. I didn’t get it then. Now in retirement myself, I finally do. Life tumbles in. We all juggle so many demands that we get stressed, we get short-tempered, we get rushed. I still have to craft a weekly schedule of needed tasks that go beyond daily duties. This week features 22 tasks and 9 major appointments. This is retirement? 😉
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An Unholy Comfort
I’m a strange cocktail of belief and unbelief. Of stunning spiritual successes and just as stunning descents and stretches of unholy comfort. From decades of ministry and hundreds of conversations, I suspect the father and I…
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What Child is This: A Praiseworthy Gift
Welcome to Day 4, our journey’s end. Christmas has come! We’ve seen Jesus as a humble human, a conquering king, a reconciler. At the core—Jesus is God’s gift to us. A gift so great we can get lost in him. A gift so great it can break the back …
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image from Loving the Word with the MudPreacher
What Child is This: A Conquering King
Jesus first came as a human. As a human, he lived and died. Unlike most, he came back to life before returning to heaven. The baby Jesus was safe and cute. Cuddly. Adorable. But on his second coming, we’ll see him as a conquering king. Halfway through the carol we read, “The King of Kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him. This, this is Christ the King.” No longer…
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image from Sisters of Carmel
What Child is This: A Humble Human
Last year, “Unconventional” became Advent: preparing us for the radical entry of the divine into the human world, with brief thoughts on the four days leading up to Christmas. That seemed to resonate, so let’s explore one of the most haunting carols and give four answers to the question, “What Child is This?” Short posts to help you focus on one aspect of Jesus’ entry on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Here’s the first, on…
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