Gaining a heart of wisdom
Sooner or later, it happens to every church-going man or woman. It's as common as trolls on Twitter, and it happens almost every time we sing: We lie to ourselves, and we lie to God. Whether we're singing a great hymn of the church or something more recent, the lyrics are often aspirational--but not actual.… Continue reading Telling the Truth in Worship Requires Clear and Unclouded Vision
My young friend’s question was as deeply earnest as it was misguided: “I know I need to read and pray every day, but isn’t it just hypocritical to go through the motions on days when I’m not feelin’ it?” It’s not hard to trace this line of reasoning to its source. In Western thought, a… Continue reading Is It Hypocritical to Practice Spiritual Disciplines When I’m Not Feelin’ It?
The Lord's Prayer is an excellent example of our tendency to stop hearing the familiar parts of the Bible. The notion that "I know what this says" sends us racing through a passage without stopping to be amazed, but if you think of God as your Father in Heaven, you have Jesus to thank, for… Continue reading What Does It Mean to Pray to God as a Loving Father?
I have a new plant sitting on the window sill of "The Princess Room." Its pink flowers will undoubtedly bring delight to the heart of my oldest granddaughter--primary inhabitant of that particular guest room and the reason it is so named. Now, if I can only keep the plant alive! I have a terrible track… Continue reading 5 Practical Resources to Encourage Daily Rhythms of Spiritual Discipline
When Tim Keller passed away, the media honored his career, and in all the reporting, I noticed one detail about his impact on evangelical thought and culture. When he published his first book (The Reason for God) in 2008, he was 57 years old, and the book was a compilation of his ministry experience to… Continue reading To the Older Woman in the Church: You Are NOT Obsolete
Serving as the substitute teacher on a field trip with a kindergarten class leaves plenty of room for disaster, but I didn't expect to come away from the experience with sadness. We spent a May morning at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, and the tulips, peonies, jonquils, and flowering trees were putting on quite a… Continue reading The Power Source for All that You Could Never Be
Every spring, property owners here in Maine cede our rights over to the blackfly population. With their serrated jaws and overwhelming numbers, they swarm by the hundreds, drawn by breath and body heat. I've seen them drive even the most determined souls back into the safety of home. When my four sons were all small… Continue reading Rest for the Weary and Hope for a New Season
“Wait,” He said and locked His gaze with eleven pairs of eyes brimming with question marks. “Wait. I have been your constant companion for three years, walking long deserted roads, sharing our meager meals, and sleeping under the stars. I have answered your questions and rebuked your faithlessness, and now it is time for me to… Continue reading Pentecost Sunday: Life in the Interim Time and Waiting Fulfilled
Sometimes afternoon lands heavy and hard. The morning caffeine has long expired, the daily to-do list looms unfinished, and it’s clear I’m going to run out of energy before I run out of day. That’s when the brownies in the pantry start crooning my name. The open carton of mint chocolate chip in the freezer… Continue reading Celebrate the Glorious Partnership of Willpower and God’s Power
When grown-up sons fly the nest, sometimes the parents take wing as well. Circling the breathtaking terrain and then landing in full view of the Colorado Rockies feels a bit like landing on the moon for eyes accustomed to the gently sloping ranges of Mid-Coast Maine. Look out the window, and there’s Pike’s Peak on… Continue reading Can You Perceive the Glory of God in Your Ordinary Surroundings?
Living Our Days 