Last week at our church, our pastor did something a little unusual. He handed out a list of prayer needs regarding people in our congregation and their loved ones. My church isn't huge; we run around 400 on an average Sunday. But I looked at the typed pages in my hand and felt a little overwhelmed. Cancer. Shoulder injuries. Autoimmune disease. Back and neck issues. Neurological disorders. Diabetes. Depression. That's not even all the categories, nor was every need of our congregation on the list. So much need. So much brokenness and frailty. So much death at work in our bodies and Continue Reading

You probably know it by heart. Many a soldier huddled in a fox hole has spoken its words of solace while in the thick of battle.   Many a sick loved one has clung to its life-giving words on the comforting lips of a visitor.   I took a fresh look at Psalm 23 recently and found myself paying particular attention to the verbs in it. The Shepherd of whom this poetic song speaks is anything but passive.   Watch what he does for the "sheep" (you and me). He: Makes me lie down in green pastures Leads me beside still waters Refreshes my soul Then Continue Reading

I couldn't believe it.  I actually had a shot at getting into Lori's club!   My next-door neighbor was popular among us first-graders. On this particular day, a bunch of us were gathered on her driveway.   White go-go boots clacking, Lori circled us, pondering who among us was worthy of being chosen. I held my breath.   My mother would never let me wear white go-go boots. --she didn't believe in spending money on trendy clothing fads.  But if I could be in the club, I could hang out with those who did get to wear them.   Popularity by association -- it just Continue Reading

In times of trial, should believers cling to the promises of God and fight all the harder? Or should they allow their souls to rest, trusting that God is fighting for them?     Yes, and yes.   It seems there are two camps within Christianity when it comes to dealing with hard times.   On the one hand, there's the faith response. When hardship comes, faith-oriented people say, we should hold fast to God's promises.   We have an enemy, they remind us. We need to actively war against him. And we are destined to be victorious if we exercise our faith muscles in Continue Reading