Last time I wrote about that frustrating experience of staring at the bedside clock at 3:17 am while your mind races in all sorts of random directions and you just cannot shut it down. I’ve had some nights like that lately, and I think God’s shown me something. Personally, I’d rather learn my lessons at a […]
Continue readingMore TagCategory: New Beginnings
Love, Fire, And Horses
Perhaps you’ve heard about the wildfires raging across the western US. One of the worst, the High Park Fire, has devoured more than 52,000 acres (81 sq. miles) of pristine, tinder-dry forest lands within a dozen miles of my hometown of Fort Collins, Colorado. Friends are displaced from homes that may not exist when they return. […]
Continue readingMore TagReally Unconditional
The following story is true—you can’t make up this kind of stuff. I’ve obscured details where possible. Some friends are organizing a community-wide event as a centralized way to address unmet needs in our area. The basic idea is to provide medical care, food, access to community services, shoes, eyeglasses, entertainment, and whatever else they […]
Continue readingMore TagHe Wasn’t One Of The Popular Kids
Are there situations or people you avoid because they violate “God’s rules”? Cornelius wasn’t one of the popular kids. Nobody wanted to sit at his table. Imagine the shock when he invited the most popular kid to eat with him. Cornelius wasn’t a Jew; worse than that, he was a high-ranking officer in the occupying […]
Continue readingMore TagA Planter’s Patience
I think God’s kingdom must work more like farming than manufacturing. As I write about the experience of RICH’S RIDE I’m struck by how frequently Jesus talked about planting. This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the […]
Continue readingMore TagBe Known By…
…what you’re for (not by what you’re against). (This week I’m thinking about what I’d tell graduates at commencement. Previous thoughts: You’ll never love too much and When you’re not sure what to do, help someone.) Today’s guidance: Be known by what you’re for (not by what you’re against). Nobody wants to be a victim. […]
Continue readingMore TagWhen You’re Not Sure What To Do…
…help someone. (This week I’m thinking about what I’d tell graduates at commencement.) Inevitably, you’re going to reach places where you feel stuck and don’t know which way to turn or what to do next. You’ll wonder about God’s purpose and whether there’s any point to it all. Maybe you’re looking for the right person and […]
Continue readingMore TagYou’ll Never…
…love too much. (Note: This week I’m thinking about what I’d tell graduates at commencement.) It’s awfully easy to go overboard, even with good things. Almost any idea or action, taken to extremes, will get you in trouble. Most of the time, moderation is the way to go. I know of one clear, absolute exception: You’ll never […]
Continue readingMore TagHearts And Wineskins
Jesus often rebuked those with “hard hearts.” Our pastor used the phrase “hard hearts” in a message this weekend. He suggested that we should strive to cultivate a “soft heart.” I wondered exactly what he meant. My dictionary defines softhearted as “tenderness of heart, capable of pity or other kindly affection.” I’m not sure that’s […]
Continue readingMore TagAre You Avoiding God?
What’s stopping you from following your dream? That’s the question I asked as the guys at the retreat prepared for a day of mountain biking, hiking, 4-wheeling, and rock climbing. I challenged them to talk with their companions about the fears that get in the way. One particular response was particularly revealing. “I’m afraid if I […]
Continue readingMore TagDuty Or Love?
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 […]
Continue readingMore TagA 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 […]
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