Saying “No” is More Powerful Than You Realize
Do you struggle with saying “yes” too much like I do? It has been said many times, in many ways, by many people, yet it is so vital and powerful a principle that it bears repeating. The thing that will bring power and purpose to your life is not saying “yes” to the right opportunities, […]
Grace Sets You Free From Performance
Do you ever feel like you have to “perform” in the Christian life? I’ve noticed lately that when I write my personal Scripture reflections, they are often more cautionary than encouraging. (“Be careful about this; don’t do that; watch out over here!”) Why not more hopeful? Why do I reflexively try to put in so […]
Homeless in Fort Lauderdale
Sometimes what we need most is not easy answers, but deeper questions. The other day, I watched homeless people being served by Christians. From my perch high atop a parking garage in Fort Lauderdale, FL, I could see the crowd gather, hear the coordinator pray as she started the feeding time and watch as all […]
On Anger
Anger is a flame. Like a match dropped into gasoline, it catches fire suddenly, often without warning, but never without prior conditions that enabled the blaze. It is a reaction, never an initiation. It comes from a sense that something is wrong with the world that affects me in a personal and negative way. I […]
When I Preach
What makes a good sermon? Ask ten people and you’ll probably get twelve opinions, but as for me, I try to ask myself these four questions when I preach a message. Is it PERSONAL? Why would I want to hear someone tell me about my problems or possibilities without admitting to any of theirs? Why […]
Giving Ourselves
To sing about “giving ourselves” to God is almost silly.
The Self-Made Man
We praise the idea of the “self-made man”, but is that a good thing? A spirit of self-reliance takes a man’s affections and warps them inward. If he has money, it is HIS money because he worked for it. Therefore what he does with it is his decision alone and he will loathe the thought […]
The Digging of Art
Why is some art considered “good”, and other art is obviously not?
Whatever the medium, art is a gift from the artist to the receiver, and it demands a response…
Bonhoeffer and the Church of Today
Reading “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy” by Eric Metaxas tunes my imagination to what might happen in my own lifetime.
Water and Faith
Have you ever felt like your spiritual life was under water?
For some, this is their sad reality. Drowning in the depths of despair and fear, pain and confusion, there is no clarity or strength in their belief. There is no substance to their faith, no hope in their heart…
