“What is the least I can do?” It is not a question you will hear many people ask, at least not in such blunt words, but often it is the reality behind much of our motivation. With a world full of demands and desires, it is easy to look for the minimum investment required, but is that what God asks of us? Is that what […]
“What do you want?” There are so many different ways to read the words of that question. It can be spoken in the tone of a parent asking a precious child what would bless them, or with the drone of a bored cashier who would rather not be bothered. It is the terse expression of an annoyed coworker, or the heartfelt request of someone who […]
I am amazed how disconnected I feel when I forget my cell phone. Take away my iPad, my computer and my other means of communication and a serious sense of isolation begins to take hold of me, and from the conversations I have, I am not alone. It is not that I cannot live without my technology, though I do have a bit of withdrawal […]
I’ve been reading (and rereading) Radical, by David Platt. It is a challenging look at how we blend American culture and philosophies with the Gospel message. More that simply understanding the message of the Bible through our cultural background, Platt argues we are reworking the true message of the biblical witness to fit our personal agendas and preconceptions. As I reviewed the chapter on we […]
One of our family’s favorite traditions is decorating the Christmas tree. Like everyone else who has a tree for the holidays, we like to make it look pretty, but it is the activities that surround this traditional event that make it so special. When we first married, my wife and I had no ornaments for the tree, and we also lacked the finances to purchase […]
A poem written for my wife. Today we celebrate 26 years of sharing our married journey together. Her eyes still reflect the lightOf the candle we lit together.Her touch still speaksIt’s language of intimacy and love. The path we’ve sharedResembles the one we charted.While the destination first embraced,Is still our journey’s goal. Her love for me grows deeperAs does mine for her,As our hearts are […]
When the stream is flowing, life is nourished by its refreshing waters. The stream itself is alive and there is something reassuring about lying down beside those still waters. The promise of the Shepherd is made complete there, and we are at peace. How quickly that security departs when the stream seems to dry up. Fear sprouts where faith once grew and doubt begins to […]
I confess, I am one of those people who loves logic puzzles. I think it goes back to my childhood when my father would use them to get me to go to sleep, or to be quiet in the car. He would say, “Charlie, I will give you 50 cents if you can answer this,” and then there would be some mental puzzle about two […]
Why are you here? I know that is the question of the ages, the ingredients of all philosophy and theology, but seriously, have you considered your life-purpose? What is your unique place in the kingdom of God? Make no mistake you have one. God designed you to be in relationship with Him and He gifted you for specific works of ministry to make His praise […]
Not long ago I shared an interesting conversation with a man at Starbucks. He apparently overheard a portion of my conversation and realized that I was a pastor. After asking me if that was true and a few things about the church I served, he went on to share a bit of his faith and how much he liked his church. Of course, I was […]