I’ve had a slew of mentors in my life, although many likely had no clue. I’d watch preachers who gave me tips as I listened, like Ron Keller. I followed the example of sales people, like Jim in real estate. I’ve found that certain apostles give me tips: Peter who taught me that impulsiveness can both bless and curse us: Paul who showed the rational and planning side of faith. Herb Read taught me the subsurface dimension of pastoring. Each had traits that exceeded my abilities in their arena, but I could see myself coming close to them. But did you notice the absence of one in that list? Jesus. I can’t…
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Following Jesus is a dance, of hopes, expectations, wondering and sometimes doubting. Just how much power does God have? Do our choices have consequences? Is there a key to unlocking God’s power in our lives?
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A pastor friend embarked on preaching through the entire book of Matthew. Usually, he handles a chapter at a time, hinting at over half a year just on this one admittedly fine book of 28 chapters. But one day he examined only six verses of chapter six, covering just one topic in the Sermon on the Mount, composed of chapters five through seven. I hopped on a rabbit trail, wondering…
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Old Cats and New Tricks
We hear it a lot, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” A more serious form, “People just don’t change.” A bit sceptical. But perhaps, if an independent, self-willed, and amoral stray cat can change, then dogs have hope. Maybe even people.We already had…
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image from Harry How, Getty Images
Kobe Lessons
Laker fans first became aware of him when the team traded All Star center Vlade Divac for the right to draft this high school kid as the 13th pick in 1996. I must admit, as much as I admired his basketball skills and drive to excel, his brashness and perceived arrogance put me off. But…
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image by trevorthorpetravels
Latched Up
Thursday of this week, I’ll head up the CA coast on Hwy 1, the classic route through Big Sur, to teach at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and hang with some witty writers. A couple of years ago I did the same route, and must have seen two dozen Mustang convertibles. Rentals, I guess. And no better way to enjoy that stretch than a convertible—unless rain descends. But seeing several Stangs on that clear blue-skied day shocked me—their tops were up and latched, like the one in the pic. Rather than basking in the openness of God’s creation, they chose…
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“Water into Wine” by Leilani Strong Smith
Turbulent Transformations
A fellow teaching compatriot, Leilani Strong Smith, has crafted a new skill since we both left the school—painting. That’s her “Water into Wine” above. I easily saw the blue of water, at the top right, and the red of wine at the bottom left, and the turbulent mixing of the two in the center. But she neither intended nor noticed the …
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image by insidejimmydevioushead.wordpress.com
A Good Christian?
Not long back, a guy I meet with every couple of weeks asked a question whose simplicity was only exceeded by its complexity. "What does it mean to be a good Christian?"
Jokingly, in response to the latter trait, I replied, "In five words or less?"
Jim, recognizing the humor said, "Sure!"
I briefly pondered and responded...
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