Gaining a heart of wisdom
A studio upright sat by the door, but the small piano was truly the centerpiece of Helen's apartment. A widow transitioning from married to single, from missionary to retiree, she poured sadness out the tips of her fingers, and the wealth of words absorbed over seven decades found their way into melancholy melodies. Helen introduced… Continue reading Whatever Made You Think the Christian Life Would Be Easy?
The Golden Rule as Jesus has phrased it is one more example of Jesus’s rejection of bare-minimum obedience. Jesus has called us to a deeper obedience whose focus is character and motive—not simply actions.
My first hospitality disaster looked like a blueberry pie, but once I cut into it, I could see it was clearly a blueberry soup enclosed in a pie crust. I hope I served it with ice cream, but even if I did, nothing can take the sting out of that memory. Thanks be to God,… Continue reading Recovering Hospitality as a Vital Aspect of the Christian Life
I have a battered notebook that has been with me for so long that four of its pages date back to the birth of each of my sons. In this notebook, I write down the requests—big and small—that I bring to God. Help my kids to be wise and godly parents.Who gets my vote this… Continue reading Faith Sees as Good Whatever God Has Given
One of the greatest gifts of my life is my grown-up kids. We have fun together, and we also engage in conversations about important topics. I can feel my role in the family changing as everyone takes on increasingly responsible positions in his own world. While I’m sure they would each say their mother’s communication… Continue reading Encouraging Our Adult Children to Practice a Mature Faith
Social media hadn't been invented yet (thank heavens!) when my kids were very small, and I had never heard of the term #minime, but if I had, one of my sons would definitely have qualified for the role. Given the similarity of our temperaments, one would imagine a high degree of mutual sympathy, a level… Continue reading Parents, Have You Found The Balance Between Judgment And Compassion?
The church has fallen on hard times, and there's no denying that some of the bad press has been well-earned by churches with broken leadership structures, a show-biz mentality, and pastors who prey on their congregations more than they pray for them. Even so, it's hard to get through the New Testament without doing business… Continue reading 3 Reasons You Should Go to Church this Sunday
Here in Midcoast Maine, an alarming real estate phenomenon threatens to deepen my commitment to grumpiness. Storage facilities are springing up in every neighborhood and along every country road. While I celebrate and applaud the entrepreneurial spirit that sees a need in the market and rushes to fill it, I lament the need. (And I… Continue reading Why Do I Worry All the Time?
The nursery worker who met us at the door was beaming as she reported her Sunday morning observations. Apparently, our son had lined up all the chairs, assigned seats and roles to each child, and then presided over a “church service” right there in the nursery. “You’ve got a little leader there!” she pronounced. Ever blessed… Continue reading Raising a Leader: 3 Leadership Qualities Your Kids Need
We've all been subjected at one time or another to the cloying behavior of the people-pleaser. What used to be called a "goodie two shoes" is now the more dignified sounding "virtue signaler," but motive is unchanged by time. It's still a desire for approval, a need to gain attention for doing good. Jesus addressed… Continue reading What Is the Reward for Doing Good?
Living Our Days 