Ponder this: Learning lessons from sorrow

Feeling gray today. Maybe it was the late night of counseling. Maybe its the upcoming retreat and being away from my family. Probably also that I hoped to kayak this weekend during the retreat but just don’t think I can fit it in. But even more, feeling the weight of friends dying and/or destroying their [...]

Christian cancer: How gossip is killing the Church

Did you know that there is a form of Christian cancer. Its also known by another name: self-righteous gossip. It shows up in prayer meetings, board meetings, side bar conversations, “processing” with  a friend, and yes, therapy sessions. It is found in Christian institutions where we discuss who has the best vision, is the most [...]

When the sex isn’t enough

Recently watched a Dateline NBC show that followed two couples through intensive therapy to help them regain their sexual spark. In good TV fashion, the seemingly fragile couple got better and the couple that was able to have mind blowing sex split up. Its this couple that I’m thinking about. A couple with 3 children [...]

Reconciliation as a biblical mandate?

Just watched Brenda Salter McNeil’s DVD sermon on John 4 (the woman at the well). This is her website: http://www.saltermcneil.com/home.asp. She finds many principles for biblical reconciliation in the text. Reconciliation requires, from her point of view: A divine mandate from God (why did Jesus “have to go” through Samaria when every self-respecting Jew would have gone [...]

The plight of Genarlow Wilson: Should we really loose laws protecting minors from sex?

Heard a story this am on Tom Joyner’s morning radio program. Mark Cuban (owner of the Dallas Mavericks) was bringing attention to the story of Wilson’s 10 year prison sentence for consensual oral sex with a 15 year old. Wilson was then 17 (for a website, see: http://www.wilsonappeal.com/index.php). A videotape helped seal the deal. He [...]

Spiritual formation: What do you eat?

Where do you feed? I spent a few hours in a class at my church discussing the concept of spiritual formation. It wasn’t new news to me but still a great reminder to look again at my inner life. Spiritual formation could easily be called, spiritual feeding. Before we talk about how to feed on [...]

Confessing your brother’s sins as your own?

“What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved and have given us a remnant like this.” Ezra 9:13
When is the last time you confessed someone else’s sin as if they were your own, [...]

Obsessed with looks

Overheard my 1st grader (Jared) while he was getting dressed. He decided to dress “like a man” this morning, khakis, button down shirt and clip on tie. Real handsome. But, here’s what I heard, “I hope Madison will like me.” Madison is a cute little girl in his class. I got to thinking. Its so amazing [...]

Life in desolate places: Meditating on the state of my soul

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But [...]

Ponder this: Volf on forgiveness of abuse

I’ve probably beaten this topic of leader abuse to death. Its good to remember this topic isn’t about others but about myself too. All are capable of violating another with our power. Power is that thing we wield but don’t really see from others’ points of view. I can feel powerless but still control others just [...]