We take fear for granted. I think we live in a culture of fear. We’re quite literally immersed in it. We’re so accustomed to being afraid that we don’t even realize how much this embedded fear drives our thinking, attitudes, and choices. For all of our talk about freedom we seem obsessed with power and […]
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What Do They Need?
Last night our small group did an interesting study. We looked at Acts 16:11-40, the story of the roots of the Philippian church. The story recounts the conversion of three diverse characters: Lydia, a wealthy foreigner; a demon-posessed slave girl; and a Roman jailer. Paul approached each person differently. He did what each needed to […]
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I’ve always admired poets. Poetry expresses ideas with an elegance I never quite mastered. I can’t create it, but I appreciate the manner in which a skilled poet weaves words and ideas to create an image. Recently I ran across this poem by a relatively unknown ninteenth-century poet named Sam Foss. It challenged me; I […]
Continue readingMore TagWho Lights Up Your Life?
Who are the people who brighten your days? I’m blessed to know a number of impressive, intelligent, influential folks. I know people who demonstrate wisdom, insight, leadership, discernment, tenacity, compassion, service, and sacrifice. I learn a great deal from their teaching and leading. I certainly couldn’t do what I do without their generosity and support. […]
Continue readingMore TagLiving Or Life?
Ever run across a familiar idea stated in a way that smacks you between the eyes? I did some reading over the holiday break and encountered this quote: We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. (Winston Churchill) We need to pay the bills and we all […]
Continue readingMore TagIt’s All About The Foundation
Appearances can deceive. Over the weekend I watched one of those DIY shows. A young woman purchased a cute, completely refurbished bungalow. After a few months the surface restorations began to crumble because the previous owner merely covered over serious, costly-to-repair problems. As a first-time owner, she was overwhelmed and tempted to walk away. But […]
Continue readingMore TagIt’s My Life, Right?
No, it’s not. I love great preaching that spurs me to think differently and dig a little deeper. This weekend Pastor Jeff Lucas offered a new (to me) perspective on idolatry and the 2nd commandment. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of […]
Continue readingMore TagA Different Fiftieth Anniversary
The past few days have been about remembering an event that re-shaped the world fifty years ago. For me, the public remembrance of President Kennedy’s death always evokes a more personal memory. I’ve told this story before, but a fiftieth anniversary seems like the right occasion to tell it again. # # # As Elmer’s […]
Continue readingMore TagIs Gratitude Required?
We talk a lot about gratitude this time of year. Like a lot of other things, we get the notion of gratitude turned around. We act like gratitude’s an obligation, something we owe to God. You’d think He commanded us to be thankful because He needs our thanks. When you say it that way it […]
Continue readingMore TagAre You Spiritual?
“I’m just not a spiritual person.” Ever heard someone say that? I’ve been doing some reading lately that reminded me of a friend who claims to be “a science guy.” He echoes a popular notion that some folks are spiritual and some aren’t. I believe that’s a lie. We’re all spiritual—in fact, our very essence […]
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“Any publicity is good publicity.” We’ve seen that truth play out again and again as public figures compete for the spotlight. In some arenas, apparently it doesn’t matter how you’re seen, as long as you’re seen. Do you ever get a little frustrated when people do the same selfish, hurtful things time after time, and […]
Continue readingMore TagAre You A Black Hole Or A Prism?
John 3:16 is perhaps the most well-known verse in the Bible. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. That’s the outrageous nature of God’s sacrificial love for me—even His own Son was not too high a […]
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