I love this phrase. It is a three word equalizer. Whisper it when you become scattered and life is chaotic. Perhaps it was all that fiery fundamentalist preaching I heard growing up or maybe because I had coaches that only spoke in loud, louder, and ear-ringing, facemask-grabbing vibrato. But I imagined God’s voice as a…
Three Marriage Rules to Break
I recently ran into someone I knew in college at the mall in my home town. He was THE DUDE on campus. He married the campus beauty and received an assistantship at a prestigious law school in the northeast which allowed him to return home and begin a successful law office. Amazingly, he remembered me….
What is Honor?
I told my son to live with honor and He looked at me as if I was quoting Shakespeare. My grandfather taught me the definition of what honor is. I believe if he were alive today, he’d put it this way: Honor is patience with those you love, not speaking harshly, respecting people who do…
A Different Kind of Resolution
I hereby resolve: to not take myself so seriously. to not win arguments to love the people nobody seems to be loving to connect on a deeper level with my friends to be honest in my conversations to treat myself like Jesus treats me to leave people alone when they want to be left alone…
Sing While Bleeding
O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts and blessèd peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed; And free us from all ills, in this world and the next! Martin Rinkart (1586-1649) wrote the hymn quoted above. Ornate, yes,…
Six Steps to Simplify Christmas
Holidays can get complicated. If we don’t pay attention our debt grows, our peace shrinks and our stress expands. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 6 ways you can make Christmas a simpler, more beautiful season. 1. Heighten your gratitude. Paul reminds us that anxiety and gratitude don’t mix: Do not…
We Get What We’ve Got: A Lament
When the church has disolved into fear and unrest, When mercy and love are no longer the test. When debaters use words from a seamy bordello When justice is gone and our backbone is jello. When the enemy wins without firing a shot And we lose all our scruples, then we get what we’ve got….
6 Surprising Things about Leadership
I sometimes hear myself say, “Nothing surprises me. I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad and the slightly unattractive.” But that’s not exactly true. I am constantly surprised. I’ve seen sucker punches on the church parking lot, midnight hospital runs, camel poop stains on church carpets which incited business meetings, witches getting saved, and also lots and lots of things…
Prayer of a Messy Follower
Thank You Jesus… You’ve been so faithful to this messed-up follower. You restore my sanity on a weekly basis. You reach into the nothingness and give me everything I need. You’ve been far greater and more powerful than everything I’ve faced. If I did anything good, it was because of You. You have never given…
Mark 5: A Paranormal Event
Our world is obsessed with the paranormal. Horror and the supernatural are top at the box office. Paranormal games sell millions in the gaming industry. Tales of zombies, rising bed sheets in the middle of the night, UFO’s threatening to steal all our resources, and vampires hitting on hot girls- It’s all there! As I…