The Best Gifts Ever
Recently, at a Christmas party, I was asked about the best gifts I have ever given and the best ones I have gotten. I have been given more than my fair share over the years and since one of my love languages is gift giving, I had to think long and hard about this. I…
ALL Things?!
All things are not good. It would be mockery to say that they are. The death of a child is not good. Cancer is not good, drug addiction is not good, war is not good, blasphemy is not good. Divorce is not good. But the Bible says, “We know that all things work together for…
Ears to Hear 1 John 4
The hardest thing you will ever do! In this chapter there is much to unpack. Three times in this chapter alone, John reiterates that we are to love one another. Why? I think it is because the most difficult thing God asks us to do is to love. That sounds ridiculous, but hear me out.…
The Discipline of Remembering
Humans are forgetful, whether it is because we repress the truth to create an alternate reality, avoid emotional triggers or are just too busy. It is interesting to consider what we forget and what we remember. Whatever the reason we are forgetful: Forgetful of God’s provision, God’s blessings, God’s answers to prayer. Ps 103:2 says…
What I did not buy at Target
Sometimes weird things make me ruminate on information perhaps more than I should. I was at Target when a man came up and wanted to to talk religion with me. It turns out that he wanted me to buy into his weird cult (World Mission Society Church of God) that believes that there are 2…
Happy or Holy or both?!
I am a parent. I want my kids to be happy. I want them to be healthy. I want their needs met. I pray for them to make good decisions and good relationships. What I wrestle with is helping them pursue holiness over their “happiness”, their comfort and well-being. (And actually their well-being is ultimately…
No rest for the Lazy
My dad and I were having a fun discussion the other day during the halftime of Clayton’s soccer game. The clock on the Scoreboard was clicking the time down backward and we started talking about time travel and eternity. Understand that my dad is the second smartest person I know; my mom is first. Even…
My prayer struggle
Prayers of a doubting Thomasina At one time in my life I really believed in the power of prayer. I am not saying that I no longer believe in it but I am much more cautious about what I pray for and I often struggle to believe that God is not capricious in his answers…
Ears to Hear Mark 10
This is one of those stories I have heard so many times that it is hard to read with fresh ears. The question: What must I do to inherit eternal life? This ruler does not seem to understand that one of the purposes of the Law is to help us see how broken we are.…
Eeyores
“It really does not matter”, Job said, “even if you kill me I will still trust in God”. Why do so many people seem to see the world through such a bleak lens? The attitude they carry is the negative victim mentality. They talk in extremes. They focus on the no’s rather than the yeses.…