With June on its way out the door and the first half of 2020 nearly in the books, I thought I’d take a little time to tell you about my top five reads of 2020 thus far. Maybe one of them will be of interest or help to you. Saints & Scoundrels by Nancy Guthrie … Continue reading Halfway-Point Favorite Books of 2020
Be an Intentional Encourager
Have you ever had the experience of getting knee-deep in a project only to realize that it is not going to work out the way you thought it would? I once watched a YouTube video on how to repair my TV and thought, “Seems easy enough.” However, when I got the back off of the … Continue reading Be an Intentional Encourager
For the One Who Feels Invisible
Her name is associated with faithlessness, but not her own. Her master’s. She came to Abram and Sarai when they faithlessly went to Egypt to escape famine. Apparently, they purchased a slave for Sarai while they were there, or maybe she was a gift to Sarai from Pharaoh. Either way, Hagar now belonged to the … Continue reading For the One Who Feels Invisible
Stronger Than Gorilla Glue
Each year the church I attend has a theme, a direction we choose to head for corporate growth. For instance, in 2019 the theme was “Growing Deeper,” so many of the ministry goals focused on taking us as a church deeper in our relationship with Christ than we had gone before. Another year the theme … Continue reading Stronger Than Gorilla Glue
Scarlett O’Hara and Sacrifice
I’ve recently been reading Gone with the Wind, the great American novel set against the backdrop of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Though I’ve read it a couple times before, this time through has been a little different. The hardships of war have seemed a little closer to home, given the crisis affecting our world … Continue reading Scarlett O’Hara and Sacrifice
Just Obey Already!
Stutterer. Fugitive. Murderer. Moses knew a thing or two about failure. Yet, he’s the one God wanted as the deliverer of His people. You know the story. Moses has run away from Egypt because his murder of an Egyptian was found out, and his own efforts to deliver the Israelites had failed (see Exod. 2:11-15; … Continue reading Just Obey Already!
The Unholy Trinity of Idolatry
Read almost any Christian living book from a Reformed perspective, and you’re almost sure to run across this line attributed to John Calvin: “Our hearts are a factory of idols.” This quotation is helpful because it tells us uncomfortable truth though an image of something familiar. Though Calvin knew nothing of conveyor belts and assembly … Continue reading The Unholy Trinity of Idolatry
Do You Want to See God?
Smoke covered the mountain that had been engulfed in cloud and bombarded with lightning moments before. On the peak flames rose above the smoke. As the people stood gazing upwards, the mountain itself began to shake violently. Suddenly, the trumpet sounded, beckoning them to the boundary at the foot of the Mount of God. They … Continue reading Do You Want to See God?
Hungry for Normal
I have a confession to make. I’m naïve. The day etched into the memories of anyone over the age of twenty-five or thirty, is likewise implanted in mine. I remember September 11, 2001, better than any other single day of high school. It began quite normally; because I lived in the Mountain Time Zone, I … Continue reading Hungry for Normal
Pray, Don’t Negotiate
“Let My people go.” That’s the directive God gave to Pharaoh through Moses. All the people—tall, small, old, young, smart, talented, clumsy, and inept. All of them. All the animals too. “We shall go with our young and or old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we shall go, … Continue reading Pray, Don’t Negotiate
Blessed Are the Gentle
Among the first words Jesus spoke in public ministry were these: “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). We also find gentleness among the fruit of the Spirit listed for us in Galatians 5:22-23. Finally, James lists it as an attribute of heavenly wisdom (3:17). In short, gentleness isn’t optional
God’s Presence in an Age of Social Distance
If you're anything like me, you had never heard the term “social distancing” before this spring. Now it’s a phrase that is permanently part of our parlance. I read speculation that it will be named the word (phrase?) of the year, and I suspect that’s true. Even when the economy begins to open up again, … Continue reading God’s Presence in an Age of Social Distance
Hopelessly Devoted to Shadows
My tenth-month-old son loves to gnaw a good string. Shoelace or hoodie, he doesn’t care. There’s just something about chomping on a string that puts him over the moon. Recently a pair of my tennis shoes was on the ground, and he tried to grab one of the laces. What he didn’t realize was that … Continue reading Hopelessly Devoted to Shadows
Cling to Hope
In my previous article, I discussed symptoms of a spiritual disease that has swept the Church: Laziness. However, since not much is more frustrating than a doctor saying, “Sorry, can’t help ya. Just figure it out,” I want to go back to Hebrews and unpack the treatment plan for our battle with the “slug bug.” … Continue reading Cling to Hope
A Massive Epidemic (that has nothing to do with COVID-19)
The American Church is suffering from an epidemic (no, not that one). I’ve been infected, and I would be willing to bet that you have too. I don’t know where exactly I picked up the bug, but it’s a strong one. It works its way into every part of my spiritual life, and the scariest … Continue reading A Massive Epidemic (that has nothing to do with COVID-19)
Eight Podcasts I Like
Since we're all finding ourselves at home a bit more than normal these days, this might be a good time for you to discover the world of podcasts--or to find a new one to enjoy. Free and downloadable, there's a podcast for pretty much any interest, from fantasy football to The West Wing to reading … Continue reading Eight Podcasts I Like
What Happens When We Cry Out to God
Frightening. Unprecedented. Tumultuous. Uncertain. You don’t need to read any farther to know exactly what I’m talking about. In the past week we’ve watched our world go crazy, not unlike it did one Tuesday in September nearly two decades ago. However, unlike the aftermath of September 11, 2001, when churches were bursting at the seams, … Continue reading What Happens When We Cry Out to God
Where’s Your Treasure? Three Questions to Ask Yourself
Captain Jack Sparrow is not only a surprisingly clever pirate; he’s also a surprising judge of character. He tells young William Turner that he’s on his way to being a pirate because he, among other things, is “completely obsessed with treasure.” Will balks at this, only to have Jack wisely respond, “Not all treasure is … Continue reading Where’s Your Treasure? Three Questions to Ask Yourself
I AM THAT I AM
Yesterday, I addressed the topic of fearing people. I finished by saying the antidote to that problem is fearing God. Today I'd like to share a poem I wrote for a children's program at our church. I hope that it will assist you in standing in awe of our incomprehensible but knowable God. I AM … Continue reading I AM THAT I AM
The Hour Every Week When I Fear People the Most
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 6:1) Jesus is in the middle of His most famous sermon. He has just finished spinning His listeners’ heads by telling them that if they have gotten sinfully angry at … Continue reading The Hour Every Week When I Fear People the Most
Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid
It was the greatest loss of American life in a non-natural event, an ignominious record that stood until September 11, 2001.* No, it wasn’t the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Oklahoma City, or Atlanta. It happened in the jungles of Guyana. On November 18, 1978, as Congressman Leo Ryan arrived in South America to investigate the … Continue reading Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid
God’s Eternal Investment
A gunman enters a church and opens fire, killing nine members of a Bible study. A vicious brain tumor robs a family of their precious little girl before she could start kindergarten. A car accident takes two beloved grandparents from their family, eliminating two mainstay godly influences from their grandkids’ lives. A bold pastor is … Continue reading God’s Eternal Investment
Draw Near: Avoiding the Path of the Prodigal
The Problem Recently I've found myself thinking about the wayward. Like me, you know far too many people with this story. They claim the name of Christ as kids and teens only to graduate from high school and check their so-called faith at the door. They enter the “real world” and show their true stripes. … Continue reading Draw Near: Avoiding the Path of the Prodigal
Praying for Elected Leaders Is More Important Than You Think
It’s hard to imagine living in a more politically charged climate than this one. The advent of social media and a 24-hour news cycle allows us not only to know what’s going on at any minute of the day but also to offer our opinions about it—opinions that can instantly be read and shared all … Continue reading Praying for Elected Leaders Is More Important Than You Think
Expelliarmus!
If you're a Potterhead (like yours truly), you know exactly what the title of this post means; if not, allow me to explain. In the wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling, the spell to disarm an opponent is performed with the word Expelliarmus! and a flourish of one’s wand. When done correctly, this spell causes … Continue reading Expelliarmus!
Rumble Strips and Road Signs
We love to use them; but we don’t want them used against us. I’m talking about 100% words. Always. Never. Forever. If you’ve got kids who are able to talk, you’ve heard them. “You never let us do anything!” Or, “She always gets to ride shotgun!” Or, “Why do I always have to do the … Continue reading Rumble Strips and Road Signs
Better than Sherlock
Confession: I don’t really like mystery novels. If you know me, that may come as a surprise. I think I seem the type. I like the idea of a mystery and occasionally read them hoping that this time I'll enjoy myself, but I inevitably get frustrated while reading because I read too fast and miss … Continue reading Better than Sherlock
Not Just a Flannelgraph
When you think of Daniel (the Bible character), what do you think? Lions? Handwriting on the wall? The fiery furnace? (Wait, that wasn’t Daniel—or was it? I just remember the three guys. But they were Daniel’s friends, right? Where was Daniel?) Yes, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, and yes, he read the handwriting … Continue reading Not Just a Flannelgraph
Growing in Grace One Word at a Time
“But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). Spiritual growth isn’t an option. It’s a command. The Christian life knows nothing of cruise control or auto-pilot. While God is at work in us, we are also supposed to be at work in sanctification (the fancy theological term … Continue reading Growing in Grace One Word at a Time
Five Books I Liked in 2019
I know that there are a zillion end-of-year book lists out there, many by more eloquent and insightful readers than I am. However, because I love to share books I like, let’s make it a zillion and one. Suffering by Paul TrippPaul Tripp is a prolific author, so you have probably encountered him either in … Continue reading Five Books I Liked in 2019
Far as the Curse Is Found
The longest chapter in Deuteronomy begins with hope but ends with horror. Moses has finished reiterating the Law to the new generation who will conquer the Promised Land; now in chapter 28 he tells them what to expect in return for keeping the Law—and what to expect if they don’t. Of the 68 verses in … Continue reading Far as the Curse Is Found
The Greatest Avenger
Fueled by fury, hatred, and hubris, the serpent strutted into the Garden and smiled. He knew the woman would soon wander near the forbidden tree, making his plan almost too easy. He arrived well before her to make sure everything was in order. He had been planning for too long to make a careless mistake … Continue reading The Greatest Avenger
Am I Thankful? Four Questions for Self-Examination
We call them Christmas-and-Easter Christians—the people who attend church only on the “religious” holidays and then assume that they’ve done their duty and go about their business until the next obligatory attendance day arrives. If you’re reading this, you probably recognize that this method of church attendance is a far cry from the biblical mandate … Continue reading Am I Thankful? Four Questions for Self-Examination
Our God Is an Awesome Guard
It was the most costly art theft in history; and if the security guards had done their jobs, it probably never would have happened. Briefly, the tale goes like this. Early in the morning of March 18, 1990, the overnight security guards broke protocol and allowed two thieves into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in … Continue reading Our God Is an Awesome Guard
Scoundrels and Scallywags
From Scarlett O’Hara and Scout Finch to Aslan and Sherlock Holmes, good characters make for good stories. When I read a book lacking likable or relatable characters, I’m unlikely to enjoy or even finish it (I’m looking at you, Pride and Prejudice!). I want to get to know the characters and, at some point, be … Continue reading Scoundrels and Scallywags
Synced with Culture
Had our grandparents heard, “I need to sync my watch with my phone,” thirty years ago, they would have thought you wanted to submerge your phone and watch in water—and would probably have been quite nervous about your sanity. Today, however, the idea of “syncing” is everywhere. Google and Apple sync all compatible devices on … Continue reading Synced with Culture
“Leave on the next train.”
“We’re all done. We’ll clean up the classrooms tonight, and leave on the next train back to Chengdu.” With those words, I experienced something I had only read about. My junior year of college began as most semesters do—by catching up with friends. We talked about jobs, camps, adventures, and boys; you know, the usual … Continue reading “Leave on the next train.”
My Praise
Not much creates rifts and divisions within a church like opinions over music. Contemporary or traditional? Band or no band? Hymns, contemporary songs, or psalms? Projector or hymnals? For each of these questions, I'm sure you have the "right" opinion. We feel quite strongly about our worship. No, let me rephrase that. We feel quite … Continue reading My Praise
Dead and Hidden
“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3 Dead “For you have died.” This doesn’t exactly seem like good news. Who wants to read their own obituary? Of course, that’s not what he means. I’ll let Paul do his own clarifying by continuing in the context: “For it … Continue reading Dead and Hidden
L-O-V-E
It’s a word that carries great meaning, and at the same time has lost almost all meaning. We use it so frequently, that we don’t even realize that the myriad nuances we assign it have muddied it nearly to the point of obsolescence. I’m talking, of course, about the word love. In the same breath … Continue reading L-O-V-E
Five Five-Star Books
I love to read, and while I don't want this to be a book-review blog, those who know me well know that I can't stop myself from talking about books I like. While not every book is for every reader, I'm confident that you will not be sorry you read any of these five books. … Continue reading Five Five-Star Books
A Very Big Deal
It’s one of those stories that breaks my heart. I’m not talking about a Hallmark movie, Shakespearean tragedy, or tear-jerking human-interest news story. I’m talking about Moses being kept out of the Promised Land. You probably feel the same way. If you’ve made much progress it all in a yearly Bible reading plan, you’re familiar … Continue reading A Very Big Deal
The Israelite Guide to Fake Repentance
Cry Crocodile Tears Tears are non-negotiable when it comes to non-repentance. Make sure everyone knows that you’re sad and upset by your sin. This will demonstrate just how sorry you are that you got caught. Then many people will believe that you have genuinely seen the error of your ways and that you’re on the … Continue reading The Israelite Guide to Fake Repentance
A God Who Fights for You
Have you ever gotten lyrics to a song wrong? Or misunderstood them? I remember swearing up and down that the hymn lyric was “When the roll is a called a b’yonder.” Now, I didn’t know what a “b’yonder” was (probably because it doesn’t exist), but I was ready to go the mat that it was … Continue reading A God Who Fights for You
The Story of Scripture: Limerick Style! (Part 1)
I have a problem. I love to write limericks. I also have a burden for the Church to understand the storyline of the Bible. So today, I'm going to combine those passions and begin an overview of the story of Scripture through limericks. This is not deep theology, but it is kind of fun. Enjoy … Continue reading The Story of Scripture: Limerick Style! (Part 1)
Want Wisdom?
Teenagers are awesome. No, seriously, I mean that. In my life, I’ve gone from admiring teenagers, to being a teenager, to working with teenagers in some capacity for over a decade now. I love them. Their sense of humor, their enthusiasm, their growth (hopefully) in maturity. Teenagers are great! In the years that I’ve served … Continue reading Want Wisdom?
A Biography of Humility
Like many people, I enjoy reading memoirs and biographies. It’s entertaining to learn what went on behind the scenes of a favorite movie or TV show, to delve into a criminal’s mind, or to investigate what made great men and women of history tick. Whether singers, actors, politicians, serial killers, war heroes, or survivors, subjects … Continue reading A Biography of Humility
Not a One-Trick Pony: Part 3
Football season is upon us, which actually makes me pretty happy (Go, Pack, Go!). While this might put me in the minority among women, I enjoy watching grown men clobber one another over a hunk of leather (though when I put it like that, it somehow seems less inviting). Although I probably have a better … Continue reading Not a One-Trick Pony: Part 3
Not a One-Trick Pony: Part 2
We’re in the middle of a series on one of my favorite passages of Scripture, Psalm 119. I contended before that when we think of this psalm as merely Scripture talking about itself, we sell it short. This masterpiece of Hebrew poetry teems with treasures beyond the “famous” verses like, “Thy Word have I hid … Continue reading Not a One-Trick Pony: Part 2
Not a One-Trick Pony
I’ve always loved trivia of all kinds (What’s sweeter than answering Final Jeopardy correctly?), but as a kid, I especially loved Bible trivia. I know the shortest verse (John 11:35), the longest verse (Esther 8:9), the names of all 12 disciples (Philip, Thomas, Matthew, James, John, Simon Peter, Andrew, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, … Continue reading Not a One-Trick Pony
