There’s a thought experiment that haunts me: What would happen if we took the Bible seriously? Not just as a collection of inspiring stories or moral guidelines, but as the actual Word of God that should fundamentally reshape how we live, love, and engage with the world around us. The primary foundation of any authentic…
Israel, Gideon and a Bug’s Life
Remember the movie “A Bug’s Life”? If you have kids, you’ve probably watched it countless times—children love repeating their favorite films over and over. In that animated classic, a colony of ants lives in constant terror of the grasshoppers who swoop in like a plague, devouring everything in sight. The ants cower and hide, always…
The Beggar in Legalville
The grocery cart announced Jed’s arrival long before he came into view. The front-left wheel squealed with each rotation, a metallic protest that had become his signature sound in Legalville. Jed didn’t notice the town’s pitiful glances. After fifteen years of collecting cans and bottles, he had perfected the art of being simultaneously visible and…
Red Beans and Rice, Cher!
My son, Jacob, asked me for my Red Beans and Rice Recipe. I didn’t give him the recipe like it was given to me. Otherwise it would sound something like this: Lemme tell you how we do it way down da bayou, bébé.First t’ing, you take dem red kidney beans, put ‘em in a big…
Praying With a Squirrel Mind: 5 Blockades and 20 Ways
I’ve experienced five major blockades that keep me from connecting with God and discovered some practical hacks that have helped me overcome my distracted mind.
The Christ Figure in The Brothers Karamazov
So far, for me, it’s been the character I can’t escape. Perhaps because there are shadows of the great divine in this part of the story.
Aligning Your Ministry and Work to the Overall Vision of the Church
Victor was a retired CEO of a hospital supply company in our town, and when he agreed to be a deacon, I was absolutely thrilled. He’d bring so much insight, wisdom, and acumen to our team. He attended our first meeting as we discussed and prayed about the work of our leadership team. From the…
God Approaching
You’ll know Him when you see Him. He carries the likeness of no mortal man. He will turn you upside down and shake you until your pockets no longer jingle. He will turn the heat up until meltdown occurs. He can swallow galaxies. He can stand on the hairs of your thumb. He will take your personal…
Your Own Private Qumran
If you’re not into metaphors, nothing to see here. If you love it like I do, come along! In the arid Judean wilderness, perched on the edge of the Dead Sea, lies Qumran, a site steeped in history and mystery. It’s here that the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, unlocking ancient truths and revealing a…
Approachable
We can approach Him. To do so is to be rescued from the typical and baptized into the extraordinary. We can come boldly because He replaced the burden of our shame with the throne of grace. May we not miss the bliss of God’s pleasure and purpose in our calling. We can run to him for mercy…