In Christian teaching over the past 70 or 80 years there has been an emphasis on heaven and life after death. In a sense, I get that. It’s huge! But I sometimes worry it has overshadowed (to an unhealthy degree) what we’re summoned to do in this life BEFORE we die. One of the thinkers … Continue reading Co-Renovators
spirituality
When conformity and self-discovery fall flat
In the movie Witness, a young Amish woman named Rachel falls in love with a police officer who is clearly not Amish. Her father Eli tells her it’s forbidden and that the community elders could have her punished for her actions which, he says, are childish. “I’ll be the judge of that!” she says. “No, … Continue reading When conformity and self-discovery fall flat
You go nowhere by accident
Psalm 139:16 "all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (NIV) Today's Thought This week in the Up! devotional I’ve been offering super-practical ideas about how to love and connect with people, even people you just don’t like. But if you're going to be a person … Continue reading You go nowhere by accident
Getting out of a rut
Hebrews 12:2 “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” (NIV) Today's Thought A lot of people think that pastors never fall into the same ruts they do. Since we’re always talking about prayer and community and love, many people think that we never have dry spells in our faith. That’s just untrue. I will, however, … Continue reading Getting out of a rut
“I guess nobody loves me”
1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply..." (NIV) Today's Thought My friends, today it’s really simple. A few months ago I was in the common room of a nursing home. It’s where the residents pick up their mail. A nearby elevator door opened and two ladies came out pushing their walkers. Going to the … Continue reading “I guess nobody loves me”
To get something great
Proverbs 25:28 "A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." (NLT) Today's Thought I’m three days in to a three week coffee fast. Just to be clear, that means I’m not drinking ANY coffee. For three weeks. At all. Zilch. For some of you that’s no big deal. But for me, coffee has … Continue reading To get something great
Dad, how could you?! (A case of false assumptions)
Proverbs 18:2 “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (NIV) Today's Thought I forget how old I was but we were obviously doing a unit in public school about drugs. You know, what a bad choice they are and how they mess up your brain. So you can only guess … Continue reading Dad, how could you?! (A case of false assumptions)
Both pedals to the floor
Matthew 5:16 “let your light shine before others…” (NRSV) Today's Thought I remember when I was finally old enough to drive a Go-Kart by myself. I jumped in, pulled across the flimsy seatbelt and stepped on the gas. But I didn’t go anywhere. The engine was revving as loudly as any Go-Kart could, but I was … Continue reading Both pedals to the floor
Angels with Dirty Faces
Philippians 2:4 "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (ESV) Today's Thought In the movie Angels with Dirty Faces, James Cagney plays a criminal gangster named William “Rocky” Sullivan who is admired by a bunch of young misfits and delinquents in the city. He … Continue reading Angels with Dirty Faces
Scattered scurry masters
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (NIV) Today's Thought Yesterday we walked through December’s door. Today we find ourselves in a world of twinkling lights and overflowing parking lots at the mall. Since I try to be an organized kind of person, I like … Continue reading Scattered scurry masters
