Do you follow or obey Jesus out of a sense of duty or obligation? Duty is only a substitute for love. C. S. Lewis I’ve always had this nagging sense that Jesus never wanted anyone to follow because they felt obligated or compelled. He doesn’t want followers who fear the consequences of not-following. That’s why […]
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A Fresh Coat Of Paint?
Yesterday my friend Jon Swanson posted anarticle titled How Jesus Fixed Breakfast For Some Losers. Jon’s final line: If you’ve left your nets to follow Jesus, the way forward isn’t going to be by going back. Jon’s got me thinking about how often I “go back.” Jesus addressed it: “No one sews a patch of […]
Continue readingMore TagWinning Or Winner?
I’m sharing some excerpts from my in-progress manuscript about Rich’s Ride. You can check out previous posts here. # # # # # One of many remarkable experiences on RICH’S RIDE was addressing a high school soccer team in Carbondale, Illinois. Speaking to a team, especially in a pre-game setting, was a new opportunity. I […]
Continue readingMore TagDo I Have To Choose?
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24) Which is more important in life—the journey or the destination? Paper or plastic. With us or against us. As I work on writing the […]
Continue readingMore TagRegret
Happy Monday! The Easter story reminded me of today’s word-of-the-week… REGRET Yesterday’s story of the first Easter morning prompted me to wonder how I would’ve felt if I’d been part of Jesus’ circle of followers. I missed the entire message. Jesus told me—in person—exactly what was going to happen. I listened, but obviously failed to […]
Continue readingMore TagWhy Was He Scared?
Do you believe Jesus was really frightened as He anticipated the cross? I do. When you literally sweat blood, I think you’re scared. But what frightened Him so intensely? He was about to be savagely beaten, tortured, and humiliated, and as God He saw every horrific detail in advance. Anticipation of that sort of excruciating physical […]
Continue readingMore TagWas Jesus Serious About Serving?
Last time I asked a question: Is This An Emotional Week? I still don’t know the answer, and maybe it doesn’t matter. If life’s really not about feelings, if what really matters is choices and commitments, then how the week feels, or ought to feel, isn’t a big issue. So I decided to look at […]
Continue readingMore TagChain Of Rocks (Part 2)
I’m sharing some excerpts from my in-progress manuscript about Rich’s Ride. You can check out previous posts here. # # # # # Amazing how much clarity can be gained simply from the perspective of a new day. The next morning Becky and I sat in bright sunshine at the base of that same single […]
Continue readingMore TagIs This An Emotional Week?
Is Holy Week an emotional time for you? I’ve been thinking about how I should be approaching this week. Somehow I get the sense that the week prior to Easter is supposed to create some sort of special emotional impact. I don’t feel it, and I wonder if something’s missing. Normally I don’t get too […]
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Happy Monday! A bible story and a television commercial got me thinking about today’s word-of-the-week… CATEGORIES In a commercial for a soft drink, people appear on a street wearing t-shirts proclaiming their identity. I’m a dreamer. I’m a winner. I’m a survivor. I’m a wingman. I’m a beginner. I’m a fighter. I’m a … I […]
Continue readingMore TagImagine Creativity
Happy Saturday! Creativity is a mysterious, mostly misunderstood process. I thought this video did a nice job of dispelling a couple of common myths and making this essential part of our lives a bit more comprehensible. IMAGINE: How Creativity Works from Flash Rosenberg on Vimeo. Can’t see the video? Click here. Have a great weekend.
Continue readingMore Tag300 Touches
Yesterday I posed this question: What if it takes “300 touches” for someone to be ready to really see and accept Christ? By a “touch” I mean an encounter, an impression, an interaction with Jesus. And of course there’s nothing magic about the number 300, but suppose it takes a certain number of touches for […]
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