Don’t waste it She felt like she had failed. Her training and expertise met a challenge that proved to be more than she could manage. Unless she changed course, she would hurt herself and her family.  When we talked, she… Continue reading

This choice, why? Pleasure is the god of this culture. For many there is no higher value in life than ‘being happy,’ and by that they mean, ‘feeling good.’  I am no ascetic chasing some divine revelation by inflicting suffering… Continue reading

Like moonlit shadows on the wall Last night, the little voices of the Awana kids singing, “And I won’t worry about tomorrow, I’m trusting in what you say,” moved me deeply.  “Lord, give me a child-like faith. Help my heart… Continue reading

Justice is a double-edged sword.  We tend to give ourselves an exception when it comes to justice, don’t we?  Who among us has not said something like this:  His anger is so destructive to his family; mine is just what… Continue reading

I am an insider! I am part of the Ekklesia – (ek·klay·see·ah ) What in the world is that?  It’s the word used in the first Bible for ‘church.’  Paul called those gatherings of Believers the ‘ekklesia.’  The word was… Continue reading

Locomotives and Fireworks The steel deck of the locomotive where I was standing throbbed with power as the engineer asked for more speed. The engines rumbled and then, the whole train shuddered. The car connections clattered as they took the… Continue reading

Open House! Businesses advertise them, inviting customers in. Realtors host them to show a residence for sale. Schools announce them welcoming parents into classrooms. Our church is having something like an ‘open house’ this weekend promoting “Back to Church” Sunday. … Continue reading

Download, Update, and Scan Every week or so the security program in my computer notifies me that it is downloading new data, then it goes through an update sequence.  Sometimes the update requires a restart. Finally, it does a scan… Continue reading

Be the salt A frequent phrase in my prayer, both public and private, is “Lord, by your Spirit working in me, help me to have a measurable influence on those with whom I work today.”  I see that as a… Continue reading

Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) tells the story of a student who told him, “I cannot come to class tomorrow. I have to go to tennis.”  Covey clarified, “You have to go to tennis?”  The student insisted… Continue reading