“What finally helped you accept your injury?” I took a deep breath. I’ve answered that question lots of times, but I never want to offer what sounds like a simplistic platitude. “It’s a lifelong process,” I began, “but I can point to where it started. “A good friend came to visit me a few months […]
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Confidence?
I don’t think I’d be a very good preacher. I’d be okay at the public speaking part, and I’m sure I could learn whatever was necessary. But I don’t think those things make a good preacher. Effective preachers have to be authentic. They have to walk the talk. And that’s where I would have a […]
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The Obstacle
The obstacle…might be internal.
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Is This Okay?
It’s only a few coins…
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A Response
What moves us, might not be about us…
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What Moves You?
Becky walked into my office the other day, asked that question, looked at me for a minute, and then walked out. My first thought was, “My wheelchair? My bike?” But I suspect she was after something deeper. What moves you? Phrased another way…what causes you to move? What do you care enough about to break […]
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Connection
Did you ever dream of being really good at something? I bet many of us have watched the Olympics and wondered if we could make it in one of those sports. Stand on the podium, hear the national anthem while a gold medal was placed around our neck. But let’s be honest…most of us know […]
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Invisible
Curtis is a gentle giant. He says you should always try as hard as you can at whatever you do. He works on a supervised crew doing maintenance work. Mariah says people sometimes make fun of her. She’s learned to remember she’s one of God’s angels because it makes the words hurt less. Darrel’s proud […]
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She Has A Face
Ever hear about “speaking up for the voiceless”? It’s sort of odd, because those “voiceless” people really have the same voices as you and me. Their voices are beautiful. And capable. And worth hearing. Except, of course, those voices are often intentionally, systematically silenced and repressed. Or they’re simply ignored out of convenience and privilege, […]
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She Has A Name (Revisited)
(This seemed like a good time to revisit this post from 5 years ago.) The bad guys in the movie all looked alike. Becky and I noticed we had trouble keeping track of the villains. We knew the good guys, but the crooks sort of blended together. It’s not an accident. Stanford Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky […]
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Uncertain
One of my strengths is a teacher was a willingness to be uncertain…at the right times. When a student asked “What about this?” or “Why not do it that way?” I didn’t need my way to be the only way or the right way. Kids appreciated that, I think. Uncertainty doesn’t indicate weakness. In fact, […]
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No Strings
I don’t think coercion is the best strategy for getting people to follow Jesus. Last time I asked a question: What comes to mind when you hear “…make disciples”? I’ll bet a lot of us picture some form of coercion. Maybe it’s guilt-laced, fear-based preaching. Perhaps it’s some sort of transactional “service” in which the […]
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