Recently I was reading Psalm 139:14 where it says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” I’ve read a lot about this verse. Different scholars say different things. But in and through it all are a few firm facts of modern life: That sometimes you need to acknowledge the dark difficulty of … Continue reading Dear You
devotional
Make yourself UNcomfortable
I’m sitting here in a comfortable chair. I’m drinking a flavoured coffee in comfortable clothes. I’m… comfortable! Then I open my Bible and read about the apostles being persecuted for their faith. In Acts 5 they get brought before a tribunal called the Sanhedrin and are ordered to stop teaching in Jesus’ name. The apostles … Continue reading Make yourself UNcomfortable
Why it’s easy to be judgmental
Being judgmental is about as attractive as a racist proudly gallivanting around your living room on a high horse. But what does it mean, anyway? If someone says you’re being judgmental, what they usually mean is that you’re acting morally superior—as if you’re always right, others are always wrong, and you’re a better person because … Continue reading Why it’s easy to be judgmental
Imperfect people
What I’m about to tell you is terrible. But I’m going to tell you anyway! I heard about some people who started a Bible study group. They called it “Owl.” At first, people thought the name was based on the bird. Since owls are symbols of wisdom, it made sense. But it came to light … Continue reading Imperfect people
Say it before it’s too late
One of the profound privileges of being a pastor is being with people who are in their last stages of life on earth. I’ve only been a pastor for 9 years and I’ve held many people’s hands as they’ve passed from this world to the next. What does it teach me? Well, a lot of things. … Continue reading Say it before it’s too late
Boundedness
The word “religion” isn’t very popular. People (including myself!) prefer to use substitutes like “spirituality” or “faith” as a way of bypassing this un-trendy word that can call to mind firm-fisted sermons, strict morality or chanting monks. But let’s pause on it for a minute. It comes from an old word meaning “to bind.” So … Continue reading Boundedness
Pour yourself into what’s in front of you
In World War Two, Viktor Frankl found himself in a Nazi concentration camp. His book Man's Search for Meaning recounts many of the terrible things he endured. But he also talks about how you can find meaning even in horrible situations. Here’s an example. Some of Frankl’s fellow prisoners had figured out a way to escape. … Continue reading Pour yourself into what’s in front of you
What do you pray for in a situation like that?
Ephesians 3:20 "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…" (NIV) Today's Thought Zeb Mengistu is a pastor in Ethiopia who tells about one of their church’s documented healings. During one of his church’s healing services a boy came forward with no fingers. What do you pray … Continue reading What do you pray for in a situation like that?
Best friends with the enemy
When you think about your worst enemy, who you do think about? A betraying friend? Someone who has abused you? Satan? How many of you answered, ‘Me’? I’m guessing not very many. But I’m also guessing that many of us act that way. Let’s consider Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry. He was known … Continue reading Best friends with the enemy
The Silver Bullet
We humans often make things more complicated than they are. A few days ago I saw someone having a really hard time raking their lawn. Mind you, they had a phone in one hand. And with the other, they were raking a pile of dead leaves leftover from the fall… with a shovel. That’s right. … Continue reading The Silver Bullet
