In the face of these difficult, stormy times in our nation, I find I have turned to prayer. I am far from having mastered the spiritual discipline of prayer; it is not one of my strengths. But if I have ever prayed so fervently for my community and my country, I can’t remember it. I... Continue Reading →
Viral Pandemonium
Life has become. . .strange. It feels like 9/11 colliding with Black Friday. The panic that has been building over the past couple of weeks, was offset by the fact that each day was still bringing life as usual. The topics of conversation at work included speculation about the sudden hoarding of toilet paper. The... Continue Reading →
Selfish Supplications
As I was praying the other morning, it occurred to me that my bedroom window faces east. I thought of the prophet Daniel, who “got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks,” doing so from “his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem.” (Daniel... Continue Reading →
What To Expect When You’re Waiting
I write a lot about the balancing act that comes with following Christ. The Bible points clearly to ideas that, in the earthly realm, seem to be in conflict with one another. We serve a God who is faithful and loving, but He is also just and fierce. Though He is faithful, we are told... Continue Reading →
Thorns & Thistles
There’s a trite saying, “Whenever God closes a door, He opens a window.” Well, on some level, I feel as though God has opened a door for me in one part of my life, and I have walked through into a wonderful place. But then in another area, I feel like I have been sentenced... Continue Reading →
Commitment & Compromise
Throughout the spring, I have been fighting a restlessness that I can’t quite put my finger on. Earlier this week, I watched a YouTube video featuring highlights from a sermon. I can't point to anything specific that I heard, but somehow, I was reminded of the kind of life that Jesus called us to live.... Continue Reading →
Skipping the Appetizers
I don’t suppose there is a greater compliment in this life than being sought after by someone of the opposite sex. Isn’t that the heart of real romance, being sought? Hollywood wants to make romance equivalent to lust. Being desired in that way may be flattering, at times, but it is no compliment to the... Continue Reading →
What Am I Forgetting?
I had a week off from work, and I spent some time with my family. I returned home feeling at loose ends. I turned on my desktop computer and it began making a loud noise. Almost instantly, anxiety welled in my gut. I complained to God: Lord, I know that I need to plan on getting... Continue Reading →
Double-Minded Singleness
Another week and more spilled coffee. God is testing my resolve. I am blaming my clumsiness on my inner ear, which is an unfortunate victim of a sinus infection. I have been plagued with sinus problems for years. I won’t bore you with the details because they aren’t relevant. What is relevant is that sinus... Continue Reading →