Grasping for Significance
Four years ago, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer. The treatment involved five uncomfortable (and humiliating!) procedures. On the other hand, I …
Modern Worship, Cocaine Rushes, and Healing
A friend of mine calls himself a “recovering charismatic.” He thinks the gifts of the Spirit are still active today, but he believes the worship …
Hidden Worship
In 1930, ninety-four years ago, legendary economist John Maynard Keynes wrote an essay detailing his expectations for the upcoming standard of living …
The Most Insidious Warfare: The War of the World
For two thousand years, believers have prioritized the importance of “spiritual warfare” for Christian health. (Heck, I was raised Presbyterian, and …
The Fool and His Headlines
In ninth grade, my brother Andy’s locker partner was Kevin, the school’s drug dealer. One fall day Kevin had a bad trip on LSD. The bad trip continued …
“I’d Never Do That” – Or Would We?
I used to work for a company that created software for publishers. It handled mail orders accompanied by checks, cash, or credit card information. It …
The Christian’s Biggest Enemy
Ten years ago, I arrived home late Sunday night, from a retreat. I was physically and emotionally drained. But the next morning I woke up to an …
We Are All Addicts
Cynthia Heimel was a writer who lived in New York in the 70’s. She knew actors and artists before they became famous, while they were still bussing …
What Do We Urgently Need Most?
Six or seven years ago, an acquaintance of mine embezzled ten thousand dollars. He had uncovered a billing mistake in a major project, and the …
What Can Westboro Baptist Teach Us about Grace?
Have you heard of Westboro Baptist? They picket military funerals to protest gays. Their website is, “god hates fags dot com”. (I can’t bring myself …
Are We Teaching Selfishness?
When I was nine years old, I hit my sister. (I’m sure she deserved it). My parents were not happy. They sat me on the sofa. They told me that my …
Clones and Drones and Spiritual Self-Worship
I once worked with a man who had two passions: a love for model planes and a love for writing. He formed a publishing company to produce a magazine …