Graduation, Commencement, and the Work That Continues We have rain this morning. Wonderful, soaking rain—the trailing gift of a tropical storm. After the long Texas heat, I listened to it and found myself saying aloud: “Thank You, Lord!” Perhaps the rain is partly responsible for my moving a little more slowly today. Rainy mornings seemContinue reading “Both Doors Say Go”
Tag Archives: christianity
Don’t Rush Past This
When God Interrupts the Plan A worship leader named Jennifer Whitlock wrote something that stopped me this morning: “I never want to get so good at following the plan that I forget how to let God interrupt it.” She described those moments during worship when something almost imperceptible shifts in the room. A lyric suddenlyContinue reading “Don’t Rush Past This”
God Does Not Need Our Swagger
Meekness, Might, and the Strength We Keep Misunderstanding Two statements crossed my path recently. The first explained Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth,” by saying that the Greek word praus was a military term for a warhorse trained to charge into battle without panic. The meek, it said, are extremely dangerousContinue reading “God Does Not Need Our Swagger”
Hanging In There
The God Who Notices Splinters We have been home from Alaska for one week. It has been a good week. Or perhaps I should say it has been a successful week. Those are not always exactly the same thing. Two prison messages have been delivered at the Chapel of Hope. The first was on theContinue reading “Hanging In There”
The Theology of Rest
This morning I am home. Really home. Yesterday morning, sometime around 6:20, our plane touched down in Houston. Then came the shuttle to the car, followed by another two hours on the road to Lufkin. By the time Tanya and I walked through our own front door, Alaska seemed both very near and very farContinue reading “The Theology of Rest”
THE CUP
He went a little farther. Not far enough to disappear from sight, perhaps, but far enough to be alone. The three disciples remained beneath the olive branches behind Him. They could see the outline of His body moving through the shadows. They may have heard the first broken words of His prayer. But they couldContinue reading “THE CUP”
THE KIDRON VALLEY REMEMBERS
The Valley Remembers Andante dolorosoTrans Torrentem Cedron Night had settled over Jerusalem. The city still breathed with the anticipation of Passover. Pilgrims filled its streets. Lamps flickered in narrow windows. Somewhere, families were gathering around tables where fathers would once again tell the ancient story. “When your son asks you…” Israel had been remembering forContinue reading “THE KIDRON VALLEY REMEMBERS”
A Walk Through the Vineyard
Rainy days in East Texas have a way of slowing a man down.The trees drip.The roads shine dark beneath the clouds.And somewhere in the quiet places of the soul, Scripture begins speaking again. Today my thoughts wandered back into John 15. I have visited that chapter for years now.Returned to it.Quoted it.Taught from it inContinue reading “A Walk Through the Vineyard”
The Path Is Already Under Your Feet
There are seasons in life when we sincerely ask, “Lord, show me Your will.” We want direction. We want clarity. We want to know what lies ahead. We ask what decision to make, which road to take, how the next chapter should unfold. These are honest prayers, and most believers have prayed them many times.Continue reading “The Path Is Already Under Your Feet”
Wearing a Mask?
For too long, the church has sometimes acted as if holiness means pretending. Pretending we are above struggle. Pretending we are beyond temptation. Pretending that if we just keep the right appearance, everything must be fine underneath. But that kind of pretending does not make us holy. It makes us hidden. And hidden things growContinue reading “Wearing a Mask?”
Spiritual Wanderings 