I wasn’t going to do it at first. I thought it might be a really cheesy violation of some etiquette rule Emily Post or Ann Vandenberg has warned of. But then the poetic irony got my attention. I wrote a greeting on each card, slipped both into a single envelope, and mailed them. My sister-in-law was about to celebrate her birthday. Less than a month before, her father had passed. Into one envelope, I had tucked sentiments of joy over her life and sympathy for her loss. Tears and elation; weddings and funerals; sickbeds and parties. This is the human drama unfolding while creation Continue Reading

There’s an old tale about a boy whose mother was looking for him. Willy, where are you? she calls. In the pantry, comes the muffled reply. What are you doing in there? she asks. Willy answers, Fighting temptation. Every sin begins with temptation. The more we can avoid temptation, the more sin we can steer clear of. You may consider yourself immune to obvious wrong-doing like robbing a bank, or cheating on your spouse, or selling drugs – yet you can still be dangerously oblivious to your weaknesses. It's the subtle temptations that can sneak up and blindside you. The enemy knows Continue Reading

He was coming around a corner on the mountain path, bleating sheep following, when he stopped short and stared. How could a plant be on fire, yet not be swallowed up by the blaze? God used the burning bush to get Moses’ attention, but it also shows us the cure for the great malady of our time.  In a culture addicted to busyness and an over-the-top work ethic, burn-out happens to far too many of us.  God sets our hearts on fire with a holy flame that does not consume us. But this paradox breaks down when it comes to false gods. They will eat us alive, one nibble at a time. Anything and Continue Reading

Jesus regularly invites us on adventures, but we often hesitate for some pretty short-sighted reasons. Is it just me? Or do some of these sound familiar? “I’m not adequate.”  None of us are up for what God calls us to. He seems to choose us for our weaknesses more than for our strengths. On the flip side of this, you might be very surprised at how much is on your spiritual resume. Do you know Christ? Have you read and studied the Bible at all? Heard any sermons? Boom. You already have something to offer someone else. “I need to be healed first.” Jesus is happy to heal you from unresolved Continue Reading