Gaining a heart of wisdom
The road out of Jericho was always well-traveled, but Bartimaeus could sense something different in the air. Just as the angle of the hot sun on the back of his neck told him the time of day, the buzz of the crowd, the whispered excitement, and the press of bodies told him the truth that… Continue reading Driven by Fear to the God Who Casts Out Fear
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
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
For everyone, seasoned believer or confirmed pagan, it’s a matter of trust, because every day is a new opportunity to hand ourselves over to God. So… let me ask you: Are you trusting in Jesus?
By the time my sons were old enough to talk, they were well-versed in the practice of apologizing. Four boys living in a modest-sized house have plenty of opportunity to bump into each other, both physically and relationally, but that’s not the only reason for the familiarity and frequency of apologetic words on this country… Continue reading Why is Confession Important? (I thought my sins were already forgiven!)
One summer day, I listened to hard words from a dear woman I had loved and admired for nearly twenty years. We were seated in her small room in a nursing home. My grandson was exploring every nook, cranny, and light switch (and eating one of the cookies we had brought for her!), and I… Continue reading What Do You Do When Looking Back Feels Safer than Looking Forward?
Sunday Scripture I have begun to consider listening to the morning news as a spiritual discipline, a small act of patriotism in which I put the good of our country above my own comfort or preferences. I've never been a political animal, but events of the past several years and a fleet of newly minted… Continue reading How Can an Ordinary Citizen Begin to Practice a Radical Patriotism?
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
When my sons were tiny, I kept a running list of their zany questions in my journal--everything from the deeply theological to "What's inside my tongue?" Now it's my grandkids who keep the party going, but for some time now, my readers have been sending questions my way, so this post will be given over… Continue reading I’m Really Glad You Asked: A Post Featuring Your Questions and My Answers
I'm reading through the Bible again this year and working hard to pay attention to the BIG story. Genesis has started my year with one narrative after another, most of which any Sunday school child could retell, but my reading will be richer if I can bear in mind that all the little stories are… Continue reading What Do Biblical Stories Teach Us About God’s Heart for Women?
Living Our Days 