One little thing stands in your way
Really, again? When Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” what Peter really wanted to know was not how long he ought to keep forgiving, but how soon he could stop forgiving!* Jesus, of course, knowing what Peter is up to, […]
Thank you, Bennett, For the Way You Played the Game
There’s nothing quite like playing a game with a kid. Pull out the equipment, explain the rules and you’re off! When they’re small, you may need to correct them, re-route them, or help them a bit. As they grow, you may show them a few tricks and, every now and then, have to caution them […]
The Hurrieder I go, the Behinder I get
That phrase, from a poster on my high school bedroom wall, is haunting me today. Not because time has passed, but because it hasn’t seemed to. It’s even more true today than it was back then, and it has me wondering whether I am making any headway. Speed breeds errors. Which mean do-overs. Which take time. […]
Who is Watching the Sheep?
No one can blame the hired hands. They’re contractors. We’ve paid them to come and watch the sheep, to teach them to frolic and play and to keep an eye out for wolves. But we really can’t expect the hired hands who have charge of so many sheep to pay special attention to OURs, even […]
How Could Someone DO Something Like That?
How could someone DO something like that? This is what we ask ourselves when events like the recent crash of the German passenger plane happen. Or bombings at a marathon finish line. Or shootings at numerous schools. Or museums. Or places of worship. We are faulty, we humans. But are we at fault? Can we […]
Putting Fun in it’s Place
Okay, competitors, here are the rules: the one who has the most fun wins. Go! Children do it naturally. Teens do it clandestinely. Adults do it grudgingly or not at all. How have we lost our way? Somehow, in the important-ness of following the rules, doing it right, getting good grades and earning approval, the […]
Good words inspired by the Good Word
Dear friends, As we turn the page to a new year, here are a few sentiments that held special meaning for me from the pages of my copy of the Upper Room devotional booklet. Happy New Year! “While living the Christian life is difficult – even risky – what it means to be a Christian […]
Helicopter Parenting: It’s Biblical!
“… the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. “What is it you want?” (Jesus) asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” (Matthew 20:20-21) Oh my goodness, we’ve […]
Love Strong
If we love with heart, soul and mind, is that enough? What about strength? The Pharisees tested Jesus asking, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And […]
What would Jesus Tweet?
“Your words were a blessing.” It may have been the timing or the delivery or the situation, I don’t know. They were just words, my words, on a card or letter. Not flowery or lovely or well-heeled, but offered sincerely whenever I felt the nudge to write. After I had heard this blessing-thing from a […]