In Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Sun Also Rises, one character asks another, “How did you go bankrupt?” His friend responds, “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” Gradually, then suddenly. Isn’t that how much of life works?’ At least it’s how mine does. And often, the “gradually” part seems to last a long time. Depending on what […]
Jesus has just shared a meal with His disciples. He knows what’s about to happen, how He’ll be arrested, unjustly tried and then crucified. So He heads out to the Mount of Olives with His disciples to pray. He says: “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what […]
I’m amazed by how patient the Lord is and how much He honors our free will. He values process. He doesn’t rush things or hurry us along our path of maturity. He is content to give us space to seek Him and learn from Him and to slowly, sometimes imperceptibly, become more like Him in […]
I don’t know what you’re facing today. But I do know it’s something. Maybe it’s big and feels overwhelming. Maybe it’s not so big, but there seems to be no end in sight and it’s wearing you down. Robyn was diagnosed with leukemia 81 days ago. According to the protocol for treating the type she […]
For Christmas, I gave Robyn, our kids and our sons-in-law, each a small smooth stone on which I’d painted a theme Scripture for the new year. Each one was different. As I begin this post, it’s a little after 5:30 a.m. on January 1, 2018, so Happy New Year! Robyn and I have declared it […]
I’ve been hesitating for several minutes before typing this first sentence. Do I really want to write this? Do I actually believe what I want to say? In Matthew 15:21-28, a Canaanite woman comes to Jesus and begs Him to drive a demon from her daughter. I think most of us would expect Jesus to […]
One of my most embarrassing moments ever happened almost twenty years ago. It was back in the days when the internet and email were still in their infancy. I received an email from a friend. It was short and to the point. It said something like, “Check out these links.” Of course today, I’d be […]
Of all the negative emotions we can experience…fear, anxiety, worry, shame, etc….I believe disappointment is one of the worst. We’ve all experienced it. It’s that feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction when things don’t turn out like we’d hoped or prayed or counted on. You wanted a new bike for Christmas. Instead, you got a sweater. […]
There are times when I struggle with trusting God, so it’s something I’m constantly working to get better at. I invest time in His word. I thank and praise Him for His goodness, faithfulness and generosity. I try to take every thought captive and hold them up against the truth of His word. When I […]