This morning, I watched a news program that took us to Aspen, Colorado, to see the stunning reds and golds of the namesake aspen trees as Summer gives way to Fall and Fall to Winter. I was reminded that trees don't really change their colors in the fall. The brilliant hues we flock to see …
Our Times Have Always Been Uncertain
If we seek stability and certainty, we must end in one place: God. God does not change. In Him we have certainty and predictability. If we keep our eyes on Him we can anchor ourselves to an immovable rock in a sea of change, uncertainly, and turmoil.
Praying the Lord’s Prayer in Our Time of Unrest
How can Jesus' model for prayer, "The Lord's Prayer," be our guide in these times of unrest?
Spiritual Lessons from The Lord of the Rings: Don’t Be Like Denethor!
Denethor, from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, can teach us about the danger of isolating ourselves in a time of turmoil.
One More Question To Ask Ourselves in the Face of Covid-19
As the Covid-19 pandemic unfolds and the ground keeps shifting underneath us, it is important to make sure we seek to understand how the Lord can use our gifts and talents to help a hurting world.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself in the Face of Covid-19.
It is challenging to know what to say in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and our national reaction to it, both rational and panicked. I don't have any answers or advice you haven't heard elsewhere, but perhaps the Lord has something to say to you. Here are three questions to ask yourself that may help you see where God is moving in your life in this time.
Screwtape on Prayer
C S Lewis's Screwtape Letters is one of my favorite books. From time to time I find myself in possession of a letter that appears to be from Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood, but was not written by Lewis. Below is one of those letters, dealing chiefly with how to neuter a Christian's resolve to pray
What did you get for Christmas?
Christmas morning has come and gone. Did you have a good Christmas? Did you get everything you wanted? When I think about those questions, I remember the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story,” one the most highly rated and best-loved Christmas movies. In my family, our long tradition was to watch it on Thanksgiving after our …
From Pharisee to Tax-Collector
Outside of community I can go along believing all sorts of nonsense about myself. In community my delusions are quickly stripped away. Let me give you a concrete example of this, not in the context of church, but from my work life. The principle remains the same. It is when we move from the abstract to the concrete that we have any chance to understand ourselves.
What Kind of Tree Are You?
The following is derived from a sermon I delivered at Wonderful Mercy Church. You can listen to the full message online. Before reading on, take a moment to read Galatians 5:1, 13-25. The link will take you the New Living Translation, but feel free to use whatever translation you like. When You've read the Galatians …
