Hearing God in Conversation
When I was growing up, my dad taught me to sail our small Sunfish sailboat. We took month-long summer vacations, and we always camped on lakes. So we …
Beliefs of the Heart
I’m a Jargon Curmudgeon
I hate jargon. I’m not sure why. But I’m usually a late adopter, and always an early deserter. Some phrases flit in and out of fashion so quickly that …
I’m Scared of God
The rising bubble of my New Year enthusiasm was burst last week when I read a prayer in the Imitation of Christ. It terrified me. Does it scare you …
My Ugly Remorse
Last Sunday night my mood turned ugly. I was talking with a friend and he said something that lit a fire in me. I ranted and raved; I said harsh …
Is Sunday School Destroying Our Kids?
Several years ago I met with a woman distraught over her son’s rejection of Christianity. She said, “I did everything I could to raise him right. I …
The Pig in London and the Lamb in Israel
Within the span of seven short days, I met two people who formed two completely divergent opinions of me. I could do nothing to change their …
Imagination and Hearing God
I’m discovering that meditation is the most powerful way to hear God. Actually, “powerful” isn’t a strong enough word. Meditation may be the most …
The Usefulness of Un-Usefulness
A few weeks ago, I wearily dragged myself home from a retreat. Exhausted. The retreat was terrific, but I had slept abysmally and felt utterly spent. …
My Accidental Smartphone Sabbatical
Four weeks ago, I dropped my Smartphone. The screen cracked, and with it, my heart. For the first time in eighteen years, I walked this earth without …
Overcoming Chronic Sins
My twelve year old self had a violent temper. My fuse was short, and my blasts of anger detonated at insults as unexpectedly as bursts of laughter …
Superhero Burnout
I like hero movies. My grandsons love them. Hollywood adores them. In the last decade, about sixty superhero movies have been released, roughly one …
The Loss of Wonder
I often wonder if the greatest problem facing the modern world is the loss of wonder. When we were kids, every day brought awe and wonder. Our first …