Our Life Group was discussing knowing God and how the relationship changes over time. Someone mentioned a quote by Brother Lawrence, “The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy.” Then another asked, “Have you ever felt that better knowing God makes you fear him more or less?”…
Read MoreGod's View of Us
When younger, in my arrogance and conceit, I thought I could understand why God loved me. I was pretty good. Loved him. Followed him...mostly. Decent mind. Decently good looking. But as I’ve aged, taken some blows, and recovered in part from that overwhelming self-confidence, I see myself more accurately. Now, I’m astounded that he loves me. Yes, I serve him. Yes, I’ve changed a lot. But I am far more of my inconsistencies. I better see transcendence, and the innate distance between us.
Then a message by my pastor…
Read MoreThe Man I Used to Be
After working much too hard and long recently, hopping in a long and hot shower to sluice off the sweat and ease aching muscles, and then having to lie down on our bed for over half an hour to recover, I said to my wife, in grief, “I’m not the man I used to be.” Then I realized the concept has multiple dimensions, and these words came to me…
Read MoreWhen Tenacity Pays Off
A week last fall, relaxing at a timeshare in Palm Desert. A day, Wednesday, kicking back at the pool, as I read while Sheila floated. A nap in the room completed the laziness, but we anticipated Happy Hour at our favored Trilussa. But when we found it jammed, another disappointed diner suggested nearby Enzo, so off we went. Suspiciously the parking lot had just one car, and the worker who came out if the closed café recommended O’Caines Irish Pub. A longer journey, but this third time was a charm, and we enjoyed a tasty burger and Guinness’ stout. Several pictures of John Jameson, the founder of Jameson’s Irish Whiskey, the world’s best seller, graced the place and intrigued me. He’s a relative…
Read MoreUnnoticed Nudges
Ruth. Quite a lady! Only one other biblical book is named after a woman. David, the pre-eminent King of Israel, was her great grandson (Ruth 4:13-22). Several more generations later, another of her descendants was this well-known character we call Jesus (Matthew 1:1,5). She played a key role in our redemption history, and her life gives us a lesson on how God nudges events in our lives for a good goal. But she began…
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Go Slow
Remember the title a few weeks ago for a post “Start Hard?” Now it’s “Go Slow.” This apparent contradiction doesn’t necessarily express early onset dementia, but reflects the complexity and paradoxes of life. In setting up the coffee pot for the next AM, I fill the pot and pour it into the reservoir. I’ve learned to start the flow slowly, but once established, I can gush it in, like the pic. Without spilling. But starting fast would…
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Goldwings are great bikes, but sometimes a tire goes flat. Still did the 630 miles this day
A Six-Foot Perspective
I don’t know how many others suffer from this malady, but I see the world through a six-foot perspective. That’s the average height of most men, although I came up just a little short on that one. Back in Boy Scouts, I learned to measure how tall a tree was by having a six foot person stand next to it, I’d then hold out an arm with a thumb raised to equal his height and count the number of times it took for his height to reach the top. Multiply by six, and you got pretty close.
However, six feet represents more than just height, but a worldview. I tend to…
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Outside Stewart, British Columbia
Serenity or Stress--Your Choice
We all face sources of stress. Jobs. Relationships. Family. Finances. Neighbors. Life isn’t always a stroll in the park, but perhaps we can extract a lesson from my bike trips. The pic above came from the ride from SoCal to Alaska in August 2019 with Rich. The stretch of road between Kitwanga Junction and Stewart BC, right next to Hyder, Alaska, held chances to spot grizzlies and moose and deer and glaciers. But no one mentioned it ranks among the most…
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