Life can suck us dry. Home life. Work life. Economic life. Family life. Yeah, the list can go on. We get exhausted and have little to give. We need a break, some rest, like the lion above. A time to refill spiritually, emotionally, physically, relationally. And on occasion we can’t find, or create, a break. So, sometimes we need to suck it up. Not always, but sometimes. Here's why…
Read MoreRain on Them
Last week we examined one of the causes why families and churches and friends get so upset with each other: we primarily try to change people’s behaviors, thinking that living by God’s standards will improve our culture. Yes, it will, but at what cost? We say we want to make disciples, but many nonChristians see it as meddling and turn us off. They become less open to hearing about Jesus. And when Christians attack other Christians over politics…
Read MoreThe Haunting and True Reason for the Season
In the Christmas season, we all heard the songs and the verses that reveal the reason for the season. But Matthew 1:21 gives an encouraging yet haunting purpose, as given by the angel to Mary, “you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Yes, we sin; yes, we need saving. Let’s explore this, because I’ve found that I, and perhaps many more, have an incomplete concept of sin, which can retard our spiritual journey. Let’s start by…
Read MoreConsequences of Easter
We’re still in the afterglow of Easter, Good Friday, and Maundy Thursday. But to truly celebrate these, we need to realize the significance of the most neglected day: Maundy Thursday, the Passover meal that Jesus shared with his followers before the spiritual thunderstorm of Friday and Sunday erupted. That meal has become communion, the Lord’s supper, the eucharist: some bread and wine to remind us of Jesus’ sacrifice. But two dear Christian friends, Cecil Murphey and E Wayne Kempton, combined to change my view. First, here’s an…
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image from tripadvisor.com
See the Big Picture
That pic doesn’t look like much of a goal—the Motel 6 in Dillon MT. The spacious but sparse room had a good bed and an acceptable shower. But it had a larger meaning: I challenged myself and pushed my limits, and survived. Earlier we explored my Iron Butt attempt to ride over 1,000 miles on a bike in one day at age 70 (May 18 and June 15) but let’s keep a wise perspective and learn…
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Reflections on a Life Well Lived
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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Works in Progress (WIPs)
On our fall visit to the east coast and DC, we strolled down Pennsylvania Ave in front of the White House. Lafayette Park and its protestors at our backs, we saw the above pic of the WH undergoing construction of some sort. Likely external security on the fence, but the Secret Service wouldn’t tell. Can’t figure out why. 😉
We’d toured a traveling WH model a few years back at the Reagan Library, and the lessons there and the fence combined to make me see the White House as a Work in Progress, or WIP to writers. Here’s its story…
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image by Pixabay
Transforming Gratitude--Wednesday
Thanking God for a Purposeful World
In researching a book proposal I came across a quote by Jean Paul Sartre, “Without God, we are condemned to be free…Everything is indeed permitted if God does not exist, and man is in consequence forlorn, for he cannot find anything to depend upon either within or outside himself.” Or, we have no purpose beyond a relentless pursuit of personal pleasure and advancement.” Kind of describes our culture—a zero sum game where we compete for who gets the most. That’s life without God, but…
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