The Danger of Natural Christian Leadership
I studied at the University of Michigan in the 1970’s (like, before indoor plumbing). I joined a campus ministry that emphasized community, the Holy …
Getting glory
My First Parachute Jump Ever … and My Last
As a young boy, my weekends were filled with imaginary World War II battles. Nearby parks fielded the Battle of the Bulge, and the skeleton of a local …
What Can Westboro Baptist Teach Us About Grace?
I once talked with a group of college students, and one of them asked, “How do you explain Westboro Baptist? I can’t stand Christianity because of …
Most of Us Read The Bible The Wrong Way
Have you ever been in a relationship in which everything you say is misunderstood? It’s as though the other person has a built in bias to …
Was Esther An Unwilling Sex Slave Or A Compliant Collaborator?
I question our practice of painting biblical heroes more heroically than the Bible does. Hiding the faults of our heroes robs us of grace. That’s why …
Why Can’t We Admit The Evil Within?
A few months ago a woman told me about her inner life. She said she is growing in a sense of her own sinfulness: Her thought life, she admitted, is …
Always Look Your Gift Horse in The Heart
There once was a great king who ruled with wisdom and grace. One day a gardener arrived at court with a great carrot. He said to the king, “O King, …
Can We Live A Life of Glory And Brilliance?
My wife and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary in Italy. In my absence, I asked my friend Gary Barkalow to write a couple blogs. Gary has spent …
Is The Prodigal Son The Story of Mary And Martha?
[Click here for an audio version of the post.] A friend once told me that some early Christians thought the story of the Prodigal Son was really the …
The Nearly Damnable Danger of “I’d Never Do That”
I used to work for a company that created software for publishers. It handled mail orders that were accompanied by checks, cash, or credit card …
What’s Missing in Christian Leadership?
The movie The King’s Speech tells the true tale of a shy prince who becomes a King. “Bertie”—as only his family can call him—is the frog who becomes a …
Why Don’t We Think First—For A Change
Several weeks ago I had an awful day in the middle of a horrible week in the midst of a bad month. A sniffle turned into post-nasal drip which turned …