“I’ve always admired atheists. It takes a lot of faith.” ~ Chris in “Northern Exposure” When I published Relentless Grace, a marketing expert advised me not to place so many references to God on the cover. “You’re going to lose a lot of sales if they think it’s all about God.” I recall wondering about […]
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The Crazy Quest
What would you do if you didn’t know you couldn’t do it? This is a big week for me. On Friday I completed the final day of a thirty-five year teaching career. I’m officially retired, a former teacher. And since I’m making the formal transfer from one phase of life to the next, this is […]
Continue readingMore TagWhy Do I Bother?
The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence, and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has. How much do you make for writing a blog? When I replied that there’s no pay involved, he asked an even more revealing […]
Continue readingMore TagRebuking The Storm
One ship sails East, and another West, By the self-same winds that blow, Tis the set of the sails and not the gales, That tells the way we go. ~ Ella Wilcox Occasionally I become a bit frustrated with “inspirational” musings about the blessings of adversity and the magical effects of a positive attitude. When […]
Continue readingMore TagEight Keys To Confronting Adversity
I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable. I spend much of my time these days seeking creative ways to tell my story. In the past […]
Continue readingMore TagGod’s Version Of Special
Normal is a setting on the dryer. We’re obsessed with labels. Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, Christian, atheist—it seems that we’re intent on placing ourselves in neat little boxes and pretending that everyone in a particular box is identical. The big problem with labels is that they obscure ideas and individuals. Then we demonize, bash, and […]
Continue readingMore TagFoolish Wisdom/Wise Foolishness
“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.” ~ Steven Covey I wonder if we’re not a little too distracted by what we perceive with our senses. The physical world has a way of deceiving us, getting us thinking that what we can see and touch […]
Continue readingMore TagWhy Do You Believe In God?
Why do you believe in God? The question stopped me in my tracks. I’m naturally a seeker and a questioner so I’m accustomed to reconciling the internal consistency of my faith, but such interactions occur with other believers. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this foundational question.
Continue readingMore TagDignity and Disrespect
The speaker made a startling claim: “Every individual deserves respect.” I’m afraid I missed most of what remained in the message.
Continue readingMore TagHypocrites, Hospitals, And The Hall Of Fame
Grace is given to heal the spiritually sick, not to decorate spiritual heroes. ~ Martin Luther Those Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites. We’ve all heard it. We don’t like it. And it’s true.
Continue readingMore TagHow Should We Pray?
“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” I try to avoid politics. Really, I do. I dislike partisan bickering and divisiveness that casts someone as the personification of evil simply based on party affiliation. I’m […]
Continue readingMore TagI Want To Remember This Time …
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin. ~ Mother Teresa I thought I knew what I was going to write about this morning. I considered the topic, researched scripture, and found some relevant quotes. I had it all figured out. Then my email beeped. A friend’s teenage […]
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