Anonymity can bring pleasant surprises. Someone ahead of you pays your bill in the drive-thru. Or you receive a card or gift in the mail from an anonymous friend. But anonymity can create problems, too. How many times have you been the victim of...
One of the most significant roles described in the Bible is the role of shepherd. But it's one that can also be abused. Lately, our present-day news headlines have been filled with accounts of the worst possible abuse by 21st century pastor-shepherds. For years, many...
Enough. Have you ever said that to God? Enough suffering, Lord. I’ve had more than my fair share of trouble. When is it going to stop? Remember the trials and tribulations of Job? His near-perfect life was disrupted by trouble. Lots and lots of trouble. He lost his...
I’ve been inundated with outrage this past week. Righteous indignation filling my social media feeds. Outrage expressed in face-to-face conversations. And outrage at the outrage of others. So what? So what that Christians are outraged at the recent passage of a bill...
The world around us is becoming increasingly challenging. Challenging to live out our Christian faith in a morally relativistic culture.Challenging to share the joy of our faith in a world that is not only uninterested, but hostile to a biblical world view.And...
We are to love well. Jesus said love would be the mark of His followers—love for each other and even love for their enemies. But we have not loved well. For 2,000 years, believers have bickered and fought with each other. Splitting hairs and splitting churches over...
Do you make new year’s resolutions? I used to. But I was as successful as 80% of Americans who, according to U.S. News, make and break their new year’s resolutions by mid-February. So several years ago I gave up resolutions. Instead, I began the practice of adopting...
The beginning of a new year is often a time for introspection. A time for new year’s resolutions. Even a time to explore religion and spirituality as a way to start the new year “right.” But are all world religions the same? Some people think so. And if all religions...
Christmas is my favorite holiday. Even this year, as I adjust to missing a piece of my heart, I still love Christmas. Sappy movies with happy-ever-after endings. Hectic schedules punctuated by peaceful moments listening to Christmas carols in the subdued light of the...
Christmas is less than a week away...five days to be precise! All of a sudden, we went from pumpkin spice, turkey, and pie and then WHOA! It’s lights, music, gifts, wrapping paper, bills, budgeting, more lights, parties, sweets, baking, making, and of course more...
The Impact of Story I love a good story, don’t you? Skilled storytellers have beguiled audiences with mesmerizing...
Isolation or Insulation? Isolate yourself from our worldly culture. Insulate yourself from worldly influences....
Ask and You Will Receive . . . Wisdom! Wisdom seems to be in short supply these days, whether among political...