The Diverse Unity of the Church
There is an inherent tension in the church between unity and uniqueness. This tension reveals the church’s greatest strengths and its greatest challenges. We’ll explore both in turn before examining…
Psalms: With a Twist
Most dramatic TV shows have a twist, a surprise moment that takes the story in an unexpected direction. The tramp is really an heir to the family fortune. The likable…
When God Says No
One day when Michael was around 4 and Rebekah was about 6 it snowed. This particular storm left cars, trees, and lawn beautifully covered in 2-3 inches of fluffy white.…
Cookie Dough Faith
Here’s a leap for you. Thinking about cookie dough reminds me of faith in Jesus. Strange, right?
Psalms: Silence the Enemy
There is one consistent joy that I’ve discovered during my time serving in public schools. That joy is the sound of 5-9-year-olds playing. Whether in the gym or on the…
Just Standing Around
Most of us would equate standing around with inactivity. There we are, just standing. We could be in a line, at the mall, in our homes, or out in the…
The Community of Church
From The Basics The word “church” may be understood in many different ways. For some, it is the building, whether the grand masonry of a cathedral, the wooden clapboard of…
Psalms: Priorities
A famous economist once said, “There are no solutions; there are only trade-offs.” Whether we admit it or not, everything is a series of choices. Especially where to spend our…
The Narrow Gate
One of the things Betty and I try to do while vacationing is find local places to eat at instead of always going to nationwide franchises. It’s gotten a little…
The Holy Spirit and Fruit
On my property are several kinds of trees. Most of them produce some kind of seed or fruit, the oak trees produce acorns, the black walnuts produce walnuts, the maples…
Psalms: A Matter of Trust
Whom do we trust to make things right? We see the turmoil of our cities, the poverty in the streets, the corrupt oppression of the helpless, the unjust hammer of…
The Greatest
There’s a recently coined term for those who have achieved the pinnacle of success. They are called the GOAT, which has no relationship to the four-legged animals called goats. I…