“Sit on a mountain – chew on a reed. Wait on the Lord.” That was Ed Christman’s advice. I was a recent college graduate, still trying to sort out what I was going to do with my life. Ed was the Chaplain at Wake Forest University. He was a venerable figure, thin framed, stooped in … Continue reading Make The Big Picture Clear By Attending To The Little Picture
Month: January 2014
Is There Relief From The Imposter Syndrome? (Meditation on Ephesians 1:14)
“You are a fraud.” Imagine opening your mailbox - the real one, not your email - and finding those words handwritten on a tidy notecard. What would you feel? How would you respond?Next question:How often do you mentally recite those words to yourself?A lot of us do. It’s a condition called the “Imposter Syndrome.” I … Continue reading Is There Relief From The Imposter Syndrome? (Meditation on Ephesians 1:14)
Theology MUST Lead To Doxology (Meditation on Ephesians 1:3-14)
Admit it, theology looks boring. Those thick books, rife with unpronounceable german words strung together in small print, they’re intimidating. If we summon the courage to heft one of these tomes off the shelf and peruse the pages, we find prose that sounds more pedantic than poetic. We quickly find ourselves adrift in a sea … Continue reading Theology MUST Lead To Doxology (Meditation on Ephesians 1:3-14)
This Man Redeemed His Past. What Can You Do With Your Past?
Hiroo Onoda, a weary Japanese intelligence officer, emerged from the Philippine jungle. He had fought the war for so very long. He had obeyed his superior officer’s orders: don’t surrender, don’t kill yourself, and spy on the Americans. He had done his duty faithfully, and he only surrendered when his commanding officer returned to find … Continue reading This Man Redeemed His Past. What Can You Do With Your Past?
5 Blessings That Come From God’s Fondness For You. (Meditation on Ephesians 3:1-10 part 2)
“It’s not about you; It’s all about God” That’s supposed to be the comforting message of Ephesians 1? Yes. It’s comforting because of a second foundational truth: God is very fond of His children. He’s “…blessed us with every spiritual blessing…” (Eph 1:3) Which means what? First there is the blessing of being chosen (Eph … Continue reading 5 Blessings That Come From God’s Fondness For You. (Meditation on Ephesians 3:1-10 part 2)
The Most Practical Insight Christianity Has To Offer (Meditation on Ephesians 1:3-10 part 1)
Get this one insight, and other things fall into place. Understand this one insight, and life becomes much more straightforward. I don’t mean it gets easier. There will always be struggle, difficulty and pain. Anyone who promises you freedom from struggle, difficulty, and pain is selling you something. But this one insight, if you are … Continue reading The Most Practical Insight Christianity Has To Offer (Meditation on Ephesians 1:3-10 part 1)
How To Think About Your Life Calling After Retirement (Or Any Major Transition).
You need to meet my friend Gary Sweeten. Gary is a counselor, leadership development expert, entrepreneur, and mental health guru. Every conversation with him turns into a cascade of big ideas and boisterous laughter. Gary is a Baby Boomer, and he’s counseled many of his peers through the adjustment to retirement. In one of our … Continue reading How To Think About Your Life Calling After Retirement (Or Any Major Transition).
What is the Holy Spirit Up To? Giving Varieties Spiritual Gifts (I Cor 12)
You have something particular to give, something that no one else can offer. Sure, others can approximate it, but only you can give of the distinctive spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit has grown within you. Christians often look at I Corinthians 12 as a definitive “spiritual gifts list,” as though it were a diagnostic manual … Continue reading What is the Holy Spirit Up To? Giving Varieties Spiritual Gifts (I Cor 12)
What Is The Holy Spirit Up To? A Wealth Of Gifts For The Common Good
Ours is an era of suspicion. Don’t take my word for it; read this Nov 30, 2013 article from the Associated Press about their poll of Americans, asking how much they trust their fellow citizens. The results tempt me to fear for the Republic. Now, nearly 2/3 of the American public says they really can’t … Continue reading What Is The Holy Spirit Up To? A Wealth Of Gifts For The Common Good
Sanctified Intuition – the Holy Spirit At Work
The Holy Spirit will guide you in all truth (John 16:13)How does that work?Subtly, I think. I’ve listened to friends tell stories about powerful visitations of the Holy Spirit. Inevitably the tale begins with, “Now, promise me you won’t think I’m crazy.” Then comes the account: an angelic visitation at a young man’s bedside, a … Continue reading Sanctified Intuition – the Holy Spirit At Work
Horizons of the Possible 