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 …
Worship
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 …
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 …
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 …
Selling Our Soul for a Fleeting Salvation
Last week I read a puzzling passage in Hebrews. So baffling it even felt (if I can write this without being struck dead by a bolt of lighting), it …
The Worldly Deceit of Willpower
In 1975, three friends and I participated in a 200-mile bicycle marathon on Belle Isle, an island-park owned by the city of Detroit. The course was a …
When Helping God is Lethal
I have an atheist friend who hates the Bible because of the Old Testament: the violent wars, people struck dead, and idea of a fearful God. He doesn’t …
I Was Mortified
I wrenched my back last spring. I don’t know how I did it, but certain movements sent firebolts of pain down my spine. I couldn’t even lean over to …
The Measure of Our Lives
Years ago, an entrepreneur I barely knew asked if we could meet. He was an aggressive businessperson, a roaring lion among his peers. Yet on the …
Why Can’t We Forgive Ourselves?
I know a man convicted of a violent crime against someone he loves. He acted in a momentary rage. He had never been violent before. It shocked him. …
When Salvation Isn’t Enough
Years ago I worked with a man whose native language was Selfdeceitish. He once boasted how he stunned a client silent with his “brilliant analysis.” …