Gaining a heart of wisdom
Have you ever spent time dreaming about the perfect church? We've all heard the old saying that even if you are fortunate enough to find the perfect church, you will surely ruin it when you join. (Did you know this came originally from Spurgeon?) Of course, all this insight doesn’t stop us from fantasizing about… Continue reading What Does It Really Mean to Be “Saved”?
We laughed at his European knickers and the idiosyncracies of his speech and manner, but it was the early 80s! Any sort of multi-media education was sufficiently novel to meet with appreciation—especially at a conservative Christian college. Therefore, Francis Schaeffer's How Should We Then Live? video series left its mark on my brain. "How Should… Continue reading When the Question You’re Asking is, “How Do I Respond to this Mess?”
My son rolled his eyes in disdain as he vented his outrage. “Doesn’t she know she’s a grown up? There’s nothing cool about an old person trying to act like a kid!” Leave it to youth to give us the straight and unvarnished story. We’ve all witnessed the desperate measures of the middle-aged, stuck in… Continue reading Spiritual Formation at Mid-Life and Beyond
"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NKJV) Fervent love is a choice, and it comes with effort. The word fervent means "to be stretched," and has also been used to describe a runner, straining toward a finish line. Some versions render the… Continue reading Sunday Scripture ~ 1 Peter 4:8
Pilate and Peter (and me) "What shall I do with Him called Christ?" The truth: clean hands will not suffice. Your acts of treachery which rise From disillusionment; your cries Of protest which reveal your fear Add to your guilt. Easter draws near. Be still and let the rain of pure Truth fall on you… Continue reading Easter Anthology
Embrace the awkward and essential challenge of Christian community
Little Rock, Arkansas was the Sunday stop on the last leg of our cross-country trip. I don't recall the denomination of the church we visited, but I sure remember its personality: the two-handed handshakes, the over-the-top meet-n-greet . . . and the dear woman who sat next to me and kept touching my arm whenever… Continue reading A Guide for Living Well as an Introvert of Faith
I've spent the past week reconnecting with my sister. She lives in Alaska. I live in Maine. She has one grown daughter, while I've spent the past 23 years living in a boys' dormitory. She has lovely nails and her wardrobe demonstrates an awareness of the comings and goings of style. My hands and my… Continue reading Stepping onto the Common Ground — Jayber Crow Discussion Group (5)
Annie Dillard has (famously) said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” This is a cautionary saying for those of us who live our days as the sandwich-makers, the sock sorters, and the finders of misplaced library books. Therefore, Liturgy of the Ordinary has landed upon my reading list… Continue reading Sacred Ordinary/Ordinary Sacred
The perversity of human nature shows up even in our strengths. If it is in my DNA to stand valiantly for truth, I will likely trample the unenlightened. If my heart bleeds for the underdog, I may provide for them a comfortable path to hell. If the world is my personal mission field, I may… Continue reading Blind Spots: A Book Review
Living Our Days 