Gaining a heart of wisdom
When Jesus encountered the Samarian woman at the well in Sychar, their conversation about water quickly became a conversation about thirst. Her life was leaving her thirsty, and even though she was the person holding the water jar, she realized that Jesus was drawing from a well from which she had never drawn. His words,… Continue reading Genuine Character Leads to Influence: Does Your Life Make People Thirsty?
C.S. Lewis famously said, "No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good." Any foolishness about humanity's innate goodness goes out the window the first time we try to break a bad habit, adopt a godly practice, or keep our mouths shut in the company of an annoying family member.… Continue reading 6 Course Corrections to Avoid Settling for a Mediocre Righteousness
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
Sunday Scripture I grabbed first one and then the other Adirondack chair, dragging them both out of the mower's path, all the while thinking, "I don't know why we keep mowing around these things. We never have the time to actually sit in them." Well, the truth is that we have the same twenty-four hours… Continue reading I’ll Get Around to Considering the Lilies in a Minute, but First Let Me…
Sunday Scripture Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."Matthew 7:7-8 Have you ever heard this verse used like a blank check? I'll confess, when… Continue reading What Is Jesus REALLY Promising?
I've raised a couple of trumpet players and the one currently in residence is often inspired to practice at about the same time that I am inspired to go to bed. That's fine with me, because I value the musical endeavors of my kids whenever they happen, but as the sound waves bounce off all… Continue reading Sunday Scripture ~ Matthew 6:1
When the herald sounds the arrival of a Great One, Heads turn. Eyes focus on The Coming. This is the goal, of course, For greatness must be seen. But "Sound no trumpet," said Jesus To those who would do good for others. Fold the bill to hide Ben Franklin's face in the plate. Avoid the… Continue reading Do Good So That Goodness May Be Done
Living Our Days 