Only Rowan

February 27, 2015

We moved in, as they moved out. Our intersection was a small breezeway between two double doors. Mary and I were with Rowan, our 18-month-old grandson. The two individuals coming toward us were not with their grandson, but rather an enormous dog. We met in the middle. Spontaneous in its origin, the encounter was laced […]

Read the full article →

A Gut Feel

February 20, 2015

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them… Matthew 9:36 It was in his gut. Jesus felt it. A deep ache that he embraced as his own when he entered into the spiritual aimlessness of the people. I’ve often celebrated the historic power of Jesus becoming flesh and living among us… but that doesn’t […]

Read the full article →

I’ve Proved Him Over and Over

February 13, 2015

Trust is the gateway to intimacy. It is the currency in the marketplace of authentic relationship. Trust invites courage and assaults fear. Trust trades on the equity of integrity. I am desperate to trust… but unreliable in delivery. In 1882 Louisa Stead poured the spotlight of trust on the only dependable source: Tis so sweet […]

Read the full article →

Seven

January 30, 2015

“When I was seven I took care of my younger brothers while my parents fought the power of addiction.” These words cut like a razor sharp knife through my soul as I watched a ministry update from one of our chapters. Innocence obliterated. Children, not only caring for children, but parenting parents. Seven. “God found […]

Read the full article →

TBT

January 23, 2015

The Urban Dictionary defines this new social media propelled phrase as: ThrowBack Thursday. The letters are a preamble to post a picture or narrative that reflects on some experience from the past. It makes Thursday the perfect day to glance in the rear view mirror, and to include others in that look backward. Today, a […]

Read the full article →

The Tale of the Thermostat

January 16, 2015

The house that Mary and I bought in June of 2005 had a thermostat that could be managed with a scheduling setting. This included both furnace and air-conditioner settings. Certainly there have been times when we’ve found this useful, but there have also been times when we have chosen to manually manage the temperature. Christmas […]

Read the full article →

Language Found A Pulse

December 12, 2014

“In the beginning was the Word” Language. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) The expression of God became tangible. The language of God became personal. The distance between God and […]

Read the full article →

Proclaim It

November 21, 2014

I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O LORD, proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. (Psalm 26:6-7) Proclaim it. Verbalize it. Out loud. Unleash your heart to reflect. Remove the constraints of business to explore boldly and humbly the landscape of His wondrous deeds. Resist the urge to […]

Read the full article →

Lake-Effect Snow

November 18, 2014

The western edge of Michigan is known for a weather phenomenon known as lake-effect snow. Cold winds blow over the vast expanse of Lake Michigan, drawing the warmer lake moisture into the atmosphere and depositing the newly crystalized water onto communities along the shore. Last night and this morning, I witnessed this event, but from […]

Read the full article →

Yard Signs

November 7, 2014

Ballots have been counted and recounted. Polling locations have turned out the lights. Radio and television space has been vacated. The election is over. And yet, littered across the landscape, the yard signs remain. Candidates who just a week ago were in the thick of the race, don’t have the motivation or work force to […]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →