The other night I was praying for my kids and a simple request popped into my mind. It was a great prayer for our kids or anyone else for that matter. Often, we are focused on the challenging aspects of our spiritual lives. We are engaging in spiritual disciplines. We are working to overcome sinful […]
Sometimes, my tank of compassion runs out. Do you know what I mean? People disappoint you…again. People commit the same sin…again. People make stupid decisions…again. Frankly, it just wears me out and I get tired of extending mercy. So, I get irritated, judgmental and I just want to give up on people. I am really […]
Some questions make complicated things simple. They bring light to the shadows so that you can see again rather than stumbling around in the dark. I think “What kind of person do I want to be?” is such a question. We live in some turbulent days with continual accusations of hate, ignorance and ineptitude from […]
Why did THIS happen to me? I don’t think there is a person who has ever lived that hasn’t uttered that question. The problem is that it is a question that always leaves us wanting more. More answers. More understanding. More resolution. I am certain that I cannot exhaust the far reaches of that desire […]
Well, 2016 is in the books. I would like to extend my thanks for all the reads and shares. Hopefully, you have been encouraged in your walk with Jesus along the way. I posted less frequently in 2016, but I am planning on getting more quality material to you in the new year. Learning to […]
Delight…what kind of images does that word conjure up for you? I think of pure, unadulterated moments of pleasure and joy like sitting next to the blaze of a warm fire after the temps dip below freezing. I think of watching the sunset over Lake Superior from the pier in Grand Marais, Michigan. I think […]
Reaching goals is simple…painfully simple. I assume that I must be a slow learner because God seems to keep teaching me the same lesson in different ways. Today, he used a shovel. I’ve got things I want to do in life. I have spiritual goals, physical goals, ministry goals, financial goals…goals of all sorts. The […]
I hate weakness. When I lack the ability or skill or resources to accomplish a task, it often sends me spiraling toward anger, discouragement and self condemnation. Why can’t I figure out how to edit this pdf file…because I’m an idiot. Why don’t I have the equipment necessary for this job…because I’m a failure at […]
I’ve been in a spiritual funk lately. Have you ever been there? Maybe you are there. I’ve hardly gone to church all summer. I’ve got lots of good reasons. We’ve been busy. We’ve been out of town. We’ve traveled more than we ever have. But, in reality, I just haven’t felt like it. My time […]
Twenty-five years ago this week, Elissa Engle became my wife. It would take a full length book to detail all the ways in which she has made this an amazing marriage, but I’ll share one. It is something that every wife should say to her husband. If you haven’t figured it out yet, men and […]
