Remember the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare? As I remember it, it goes something like this: An easygoing tortoise challenges a cocksure hare to a footrace. Certain of an easy win, the hare agrees. At the sound of the starting gun, the hare sprints out to an insurmountable lead, while the tortoise moseys … Continue reading Escapism Is the Enemy of Endurance
Category: Hebrews
Are You Refreshing?
Paul was writing not to correct a church’s erring doctrine or to intervene in their internal disputes; he was writing not to encourage a fledgling pastor or to thank a congregation for their gift. This time he was writing to make a personal appeal on behalf of a surprising individual: a slave. Onesimus had run … Continue reading Are You Refreshing?
God’s Training Program
The best part of every movie in the Rocky franchise is the training montage—the footage of Rocky, finally inspired to take on the opponent he should have no business fighting, getting up early, drinking a few raw eggs, and then pounding the pavement with every neighborhood kid in tow. But the best of these (at … Continue reading God’s Training Program
Honor Marriage
As the author of Hebrews winds down his “brief letter of exhortation,” he gives a terse command about marriage: Marriage is to be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. (Heb 13:4) Let’s face it. Marriage has fallen on hard times in our society. … Continue reading Honor Marriage
Endurance Requires Team Effort
At this point it’s no secret that deconversion is happening at an alarming rate. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one quarter of Americans (22.8%) identify as having “no religion.”1 According to this same study, there are more “nones” than those who affiliate as Catholic (20.8%). And nearly as many as identify as Evangelical … Continue reading Endurance Requires Team Effort
Pray for the Shepherd, Pray for the Sheep
Near the end of his “brief exhortation,” the writer of Hebrews addresses the sheep/shepherd relationship, telling the flock how they ought to relate to their shepherd and why. Though other passages could add to this list, Hebrews 13:17 gives an excellent prayer guide on how to intercede not only for pastors, but for the rest … Continue reading Pray for the Shepherd, Pray for the Sheep
What to Do When You’ve Hit the Mats
“Yo, Adrian! I did it!” No doubt these words bring to mind a bloody, sweaty, and exhausted Rocky Balboa somewhat incoherently communicating a single message to his beloved Adrian watching the fight at home. Rocky can barely piece together this famous sentence because of the brutal fight he has just undergone. Back and forth with … Continue reading What to Do When You’ve Hit the Mats
What Are You Pursuing in 2021?
Frank Abagnale, Jr. posed as a pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer as he traipsed across the country for free because of his brilliant—yet totally fraudulent—abuse of the American financial institution. And he did it before he turned 18. His story is told in print and on film, both works titled Catch Me If You … Continue reading What Are You Pursuing in 2021?
For the One Who Is Weary
“Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,Weak and wounded, sick and sore.Jesus, ready, stands to save you,Full of pity, love, and power.”[1] I know this hymn is an invitation to salvation, but it describes me pretty well right now. How about you? This year, one that will live in infamy, has asked each of us to … Continue reading For the One Who Is Weary
The Gift of Repentance
“Home at last,” he thought as he pushed open the door, his stomach growling. The ache inside reminded him that he hadn’t eaten anything all day. He’d skipped breakfast so that he could get in a little hunting before heading out to the field to help his father. Neither of them had gotten any lunch; … Continue reading The Gift of Repentance
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