Seated in the Heavenly Places

As a native of Wyoming, I have stood on my share of mountain peaks. I’ve hiked to some and driven to more, but I have never been at the top of a mountain and had a member of my group suddenly rise into the sky in the midst of the clouds and vanish from sight. … Continue reading Seated in the Heavenly Places →

Every Spiritual Blessing

Perhaps more than at any other time of year, in December we consider gifts. You’ve already spent time racking your brain for what to get that difficult person to shop for, and you probably can’t wait to see the look on the face of that person for whom you found the perfect gift. Of course, … Continue reading Every Spiritual Blessing →

The 400-Year Famine

Canaan. The Promised Land. The land flowing with milk and honey. For any agrarian society, having fertile and fruitful land means wealth and security. A threat to the land is a threat to a nation’s livelihood. Therefore, land was a fitting reward for God’s obedient people, and the removal from the land a fitting punishment … Continue reading The 400-Year Famine →

Looking for Joy? Abide.

With Christmas now in full view, car radios, iPods, and grocery stores will be reminding us of silent nights, peace on earth, and joy to the world. But is it possible that joy seems a little more distant this year? A little more like a pipedream than a reality? Perhaps for you, the doldrums that … Continue reading Looking for Joy? Abide. →

A Thank-You Note to 2020

Dear 2020, Here we are at Thanksgiving, and you’re now on the way out the door. It seems like I have much more to complain about this year than to be thankful for, but maybe that’s because I’m not looking in the right places. Like Mr. Davis, my 9th grade biology teacher, you’ve been difficult … Continue reading A Thank-You Note to 2020 →

When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,And sorrows like sea billows roll.Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,‘It is well, it is well with my soul!’” You’ve probably heard the tragic story that brought about some of the most famous words of hymnody. Two years after losing nearly everything in the Chicago … Continue reading When Sorrows Like Sea Billows Roll →

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 →

My Prayer on Election Day

Here we are. November 3, 2020. Whether you’ve already sent in your absentee ballot, or you’re about to grab your mask and black pen and head to your polling place, I’m sure you can’t wait for this election cycle to end. And yet, perhaps you also approach this day with a bit of trepidation. We’ve … Continue reading My Prayer on Election Day →

The Lord Counseled Me

You’ve probably been there. Lying in bed, unable to fall asleep, thinking, thinking, thinking about a situation, which has grown substantially (in your brain) since you crawled into bed. You try to pray about it, but your mind makes its way back to worrying or fretting or fuming. Something about the darkness can make the … Continue reading The Lord Counseled Me →

The Warrior King

Satan's fiery darts fly at us from every direction these days. As if a worldwide pandemic weren’t enough, he’s launched the grenade of racial tension, a busy hurricane season, raging forest fires, and, oh yeah, a little election thrown in just for fun. The battle is on, and we know we need to fight; and … Continue reading The Warrior King →