Imagine that every human has a valuable commodity – and has been given an equal amount of it. They can spend it as they will. Some will squeeze as much value out of it as they can. Others will fritter it away on triviality, or worse, let it slip through their fingers, oblivious to its … Continue reading Your Most Undeveloped Resource
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The Book of Smoke (Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:1-2)
Sfumato. It is a technical term from art history that describes a “smoky” look, a look without harsh dividing lines. Leonardo DaVinci was a master of sfumato. He accomplished the effect quite masterfully in the Mona Lisa. DaVinci used tiny brush strokes to blend colors, then he applied thin layers of varnish, up to 40 … Continue reading The Book of Smoke (Meditation on Ecclesiastes 1:1-2)
How To Pray For Your Enemies When You Don’t Have Any (and when you do)
When you read, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44) how do you respond? Are you an easygoing person? Do you think you have no enemies? Think again. You don’t have to be paranoid. You don’t have to imagine a vast conspiracy. Just ask yourself, have you been angry, irritated, … Continue reading How To Pray For Your Enemies When You Don’t Have Any (and when you do)
Tim Keller is NOT this generation’s C.S. Lewis
Tim Keller is NOT this generation’s C.S. Lewis.Tim Keller of Manhattan’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church, has ascended to the role of “favorite evangelical intellectual,” though he possibly shares that role with N.T. Wright. Due to his great popularity and prolific output of books, Tim Keller has also earned the moniker “the C.S. Lewis for our generation.” … Continue reading Tim Keller is NOT this generation’s C.S. Lewis
The book of crisis: Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes, the book of Qohelet, is the book of crisis.Not the book of a crisis. A crisis is an event, a happening. A crisis strikes us from a blind side, laying us low in the dust. It happens, it is over, and it leaves us reeling in our attempt to recover. Job had a crisis; … Continue reading The book of crisis: Ecclesiastes
The Practice of the Christian Life
Originally published in the April 2013 edition of the Covenant CourierMany of us have been enjoying the thrill of the NCAA basketball tournament, the Big Dance, as it is popularly called. In the midst of the excitement over upset victories and the glories of astonishing feats of athletic prowess, one simple truth arises: the teams … Continue reading The Practice of the Christian Life
Why I Write (Introduction to My E-Book)
Last week, I released Reviews, Rants, and Reflections, an e-book collection of Blog posts from 2005. I think of it as a "greatest hits" from the blog that year. I put together this introduction as an apologia for the e-book:A collection of blog posts from 2005. How could this be anything but an exercise in narcissism? … Continue reading Why I Write (Introduction to My E-Book)
Dealing with Anxiety and Worry
“Cast all your anxiety upon [God], because He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)Words that are worth learning, easy to repeat, but difficult to apply. I’ll confess, I have my own seasons of anxiety, doubt, and fear. I have seasons in which my mind circles about in rumination. I’ll wager that you’ve had those times … Continue reading Dealing with Anxiety and Worry
35k by Easter for the Glory of Christ!
Join us in a big, God-honoring project that will bless the poor in the name of Jesus Christ. I call it the 35k by Easter Project.The simple goal is this: to have 35,000 Christians to do three simple things:1) Register as a lender on Kiva.2) Join the “Kiva Christians” lending team.3) Make a loan.Register as … Continue reading 35k by Easter for the Glory of Christ!
Is it “Yes” or “No”?
“As a rule, nos do not move you forward.”Thus says Robert Smith in his new book 20,000 Days and Counting. “It’s not always easy to say yes. Yes means taking chances, putting yourself out there, embracing the unknown. But when you open yourself up to yes, amazing opportunities, exciting possibilities, and good results come your way. … Continue reading Is it “Yes” or “No”?
Horizons of the Possible 