What do you value most? I’m not really big on fancy religious words. They’re fun to toss around, but I mostly think the words make it easy to dismiss a deeper issue. Idolatry is a word like that. For me, the word evokes images of golden calves and ritual sacrifice. Idols are statues of snakes […]
Continue readingBiblical Super Heroes?
Are people who follow Jesus somehow different from everyone else? It’s sort of a trick question, right? We’re supposed to be different. We’re supposed to be set apart. 1 Peter 2:9 says we’re “… a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession …” I don’t know about you, but there’s not […]
Continue readingThe Bible And The Problem Of Parapets
Note: This article continues our Wednesday series about the Bible. You can check out previous entries here. This article is a re-write of an original post from August 5, 2010. Are you supposed to take everything in the Bible seriously? I have a friend who claims that every word in the Bible is meant to […]
Continue readingCan God Use Me?
Do you think God can use you? Actually, that’s sort of a silly question. Of course God can use me or you. He’s God; He can do whatever He wants. The real question is “WILL God use us?” I’ve been thinking about this question in the context of my bike ride project. If you’re a […]
Continue readingFlexibility
Happy Monday! This weekend I received a lesson on today’s word-of-the-week… Flexibility I’ve got sort of a single-track mind. I want to get an idea, develop it, and move forward. I’m not opposed to looking at alternatives—at the beginning. But I want to decide, and then get on with it. That’s not all bad. Some […]
Continue readingHope Empowers
Happy Saturday! This video explains the incredible mission of Blood: Water Mission, one of the organizations we’re supporting through Journey4Hope. What struck me: Charity is for victims. Hope empowers communities to work together to solve problems. (If you can’t see the video, click here.) Have a great weekend!
Continue readingGot Doubt?
Do you ever experience doubt? Imagine a man trudging through the desert in search of water. He’s absolutely certain the water’s right over that next hill. Of course, he was absolutely certain the water was right over the last hill as well. The trip didn’t begin like this. When he started, the path was clearly […]
Continue readingHearing The Voice Of Jesus
Do you believe Jesus speaks to you? I do. I’m not getting all ooky-spooky about this. I don’t hear voices or anything like that. In fact, that’s precisely the problem. Most of the time, I don’t hear anything at all. But I don’t think it’s because He’s not talking. The problem is that I’m not […]
Continue readingThe Bible: How Do I Know What It Means?
Note: This article continues our Wednesday series about the Bible. You can check out previous entries here. How do you apply the Bible to your life? I have a sad confession. I always figured the whole point of reading the Bible was me. I thought it was about my life, learning how to live better, […]
Continue readingForgetting About Grace
Do you ever make life too complicated and forget the basics? Last week I spoke to a pastor about leading a men’s retreat. He asked me to outline my vision for the sessions. So I talked about stories and testimonies and adversity. I traced a path from storm through darkness to hope and light. I […]
Continue readingPatience Or Procrastination?
Happy Monday! This is going to be a week for me to understand this edition of the word-of-the-week… PATIENCE I just have a simple question: how do I know the difference between patience and procrastination? I’m working on partnerships and sponsorships for Journey4Hope. I’ve made some contacts and done follow-ups. I don’t want to be […]
Continue readingLife And Coffee Cups
Happy Saturday! Life is like a cup of coffee. Sounds like something Forrest Gump might say, huh? That’s okay–sometimes things become trite because they convey a bit of truth. See what you find in this simple illustration. If you can’t see the video, click here. Have a great weekend!
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