Our culture promotes convenience, comfort, and things being quick and easy. 100 years it would have been virtually inconceivable to drive up to a restaurant window, order your meal, and get it back almost instantaneously. Today, fast food drive-thrus are incredibly common. 10 years ago it would have been virtually inconceivable to pick up a … Continue reading When better isn’t easier
What if it wasn’t a coincidence?
When you look up “coincidence” at dictionary.com here’s what you find: Coincidence. Noun. a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance. It’s like being in New York, saying to your friend that you miss so-and-so from back home, then bumping into that person you just mentioned 10 seconds … Continue reading What if it wasn’t a coincidence?
Celebrate a victory anniversary
Yesterday my friend Courtney messaged my wife and me. Courtney reminded us that it was the third anniversary of our daughter Anna’s baptism. She had led the service because on that day I just wanted to stand beside my wife and children and be a dad (and not just the pastor). Her message was a … Continue reading Celebrate a victory anniversary
For those who think they’re “normal”
It’s waayyy too easy to erase ourselves from God’s equation. That’s what we pretend to do when we say or think something like this: “God is so huge and extraordinary. But my life is just so… small and normal.” Granted, I kind of get where that comes from. Thinking about the utter bigness of the … Continue reading For those who think they’re “normal”
Are you (dis)qualified?
2 Samuel 11: 26,27 “When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband... But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord." (NJKV) Today's Thought “I’m just too messed up to be a part of something significant.” “I’ll serve after I get my life together.” “I’m … Continue reading Are you (dis)qualified?
So can you
“Be like JESUS” That’s what it says on a sign outside a Catholic school close to my house. But where does that idea come from? Sure, many of us believe in Jesus, but why should we be like him? Late in the 1st century the apostle John warned that if we claim to know God but … Continue reading So can you
The boomerang of your soul
Human pride is the boomerang of your soul. Just when you think you’re done with selfishness and ego they come hurling back to their home within your heart. Pride is like that. Now don’t get me wrong: There are two kinds of pride. Good pride is the way you feel when someone you love scores … Continue reading The boomerang of your soul
The pablum of the weak
Proverbs 15:19 “The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.” (NIV) Today's Thought Have you seen the Zootopia movie? It came out from Disney last year. In one scene, police officer Judy Hopps (a bunny) and Nick Wilde (a fox) go into the Department of Motor … Continue reading The pablum of the weak
A verse we read with one eye closed
I don’t know about you, but when I read the Bible there’s a silent conversation happening in my head. With a lot of stories and verses I’m saying things like ‘Yeah, that’s awesome, that’s good too, oh yup…” But then I run into passages like this one and yup turns into gulp: “If anyone wants … Continue reading A verse we read with one eye closed
Inflated with purpose
Hebrews 13:1 “Let mutual love continue." (NRSV) Today’s Thought These days I’m thinking a lot about purpose. I just think that knowing your purpose has the potential to inflate your days with meaning, energy, zest and faith. And if you don’t ever think about how your daily purpose connects up to God’s bigger plans, I … Continue reading Inflated with purpose
