Category: Christian Living

God’s Crazy Plan—It Just Might Work

Joshua 5:13 – 6:27 is titled “The Fall of Jericho.” It’s a fairly familiar story. All of Israel had just crossed the Jordan River to take Jericho, as God had instructed Joshua. Many scholars believe that the commander of the Lord’s army, who Joshua speaks...

Holding Fast to Faith, Hope, and Love

I don’t fully understand all that happens in life. I don’t understand why cancer is so prevalent. I don’t understand why sports figures, actors, and corporate CEOs make millions of dollars while those who seem to contribute more to society and work harder barely make...

All You Need Is Love

In our impoverished English language we use the word love in many different ways. I love my spouse, I love my dog, I love chocolate, I love my new shoes, I loved that movie I watched last night, I love God. Surely we don’t have...

Following God’s GPS

Today a group from my church is headed to a local women’s shelter to cook and serve a delicious and nutritious dinner for the residents. The facility, called Shepherd’s Door, provides more than just shelter for the women and children who live there. They provide...

Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word

We humans have a terrible time admitting when we are in the wrong. There’s always some justification for our actions, often that we were wronged first, or we had no choice, or some such nonsense. Misunderstandings escalate into disagreements, which quickly become heated arguments, and...

The Beginning and End of Lenten Disciplines

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, which is a period of 40 days (not counting Sundays) until Easter. Traditionally, Christians (as least in the liturgical denominations) have given up something for Lent to participate in and better understand the sacrifice of our Lord....

Salvation Is Not a Point System

Ask some Christians whether they believe they will go to heaven when they die and you might hear “I sure hope so,” or “I think I’ve done enough good deeds,” or “I’m running the race and hope to win.” They seem to think the way...

So It Ends, and So It Begins

It began in the Westin Hotel pool on Maui. Well, truth be told, it began with a prayer four months earlier, the day I decided it was time to end 40 years of intense aquaphobia. I asked God to help me overcome this fear born...

If I Was the Potter

If I was the potter instead of the clay, what tools would I use to fashion a beautiful vessel? And what kind of vessel would I create? A lovely vase? An intricate teapot? Or perhaps a practical bowl? I suppose the appropriate tools would depend...