When we look back at our life story, certain people influence particular chapters. God seems to place the right people in our path at the right time. I count Wesley Smith as one of those people. Wes was a professor, college president, pastor, mentor and friend to many. My first interaction with him came in […]
Remembering Wesley Smith Read More »
Sunday after Sunday, the church heard this; “Resentment is allowing someone to live rent free in your mind.” The new pastor had the task of shepherding a congregation through one of their darkest seasons. As an adolescent in a church in Binghamton, NY, I remember hearing these words from a pastor named Bill Kirk. Resentment and
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The daily routines of life can teach us. Frederick Buechner famously said, “Listen to your life…” Our mundane tasks might indicate to us more than we think. Often, it simply takes time to stop and recognize these lessons. Part of my daily routine includes a cup of coffee; well, multiple cups of coffee in the
Life Lessons from a French Press Read More »
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said of the Psalms, “The more deeply we grow into the psalms and the more often we pray them as our own, the more simple and rich will our prayer become.“ The writers of these passages delve into the spectrum of human emotion: joy, anger, despair, discontentment, and reverence towards God. They give us words
Unrecognizable Answers to Prayers Read More »
“The more honest we are with ourselves, the more broken we realize we are.” My Mother-In-Law, Kathy Elliott, made this comment in the midst of a conversation. We innately desire to control our press releases. Call it lying, partial truths, or spinning; There comes a moment when we recognize the reality of our flaws. PBS
In A Work of the Heart, author Reggie McNeal exhorts spiritual leaders to be aware of heart matters. His perspective through the lives of Moses, David, Paul and Jesus provide a framework for leaders to respond to spiritual issues within them. Often, we can become so attuned of the circumstances outside of ourselves that we miss
Beauty in the Commonplace Read More »
A line from a song can halt your day. The brief statement captured by an artist can put your life into perspective. I heard the words this morning, “Every breath is a second chance…” Those words come from the Switchfoot song “Always.” We quote the idea of Lamentations 3:22-23; His mercies are new every morning. Interestingly, the
Two words every traveler anticipates hearing, “Welcome home.” Airports have enough convenience to make waiting palatable, but not enough convenience to really unwind. Getting to the right terminal and gate feels likes an 800 meter sprint with a load of luggage. Missing a flight bothers us because it means an extended delay from our destination.
“A Christian disposition, much like ears trained to discern and appreciate the tonal qualities of the gospel, is an absolute necessity if God’s providence is to be adequately perceived and interpreted.” Christopher Hall, Learning Theology from the Church Fathers. Providence became another theological term in my life. I could describe God’s providence in relation to chapter
I have heard the words of Ecclesiastes 3:1 thousands of times, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” The melody to the Byrd’s song Turn! Turn! Turn! immediately plays in my mind. You may have heard this verse quoted in the midst of a trying situation; reminding you that this
