A Lesson in Unvarnished Questions

January 24, 2014

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was […]

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“Some People”

January 17, 2014

When ambiguity is the most prestigious role we can play. “And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed.” Matthew 9:2a A paralyzed man.  A miracle working teacher.  A swelling crowd.  Intense scrutiny.  Skeptics.  The desperate.  Mystery.  Momentum.  Controversy. […]

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Either Love or Nothing

January 10, 2014

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  (1 Corinthians 13:2) When God makes a declaration like the one above, I better pay attention.  Amazingly the contrasts that God draws throughout the powerful and […]

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“Pops Used to Do That”

January 3, 2014

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” ~Ephesians 2:10  I’m absolutely convinced that Mary had no ulterior motive in mind when she informed Graham that doing a headstand was, in fact, something Pops used to do.  […]

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God’s Return Policy

December 20, 2013

“Thank God for his gift too wonderful for words!”  (2 Corinthians 9:15) I saw the picture and it prompted the perfect plan.  Thirty-three years ago I saw a picture of a clock that I thought would be a great Christmas gift for my father-in-law.  I had recently enrolled in an adult education woodworking class through […]

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Does God Have Whiskers?

December 14, 2013

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7) Last night Mary and I joined our son and his family for an advent hymn sing.  We were all attending a new church for this experience, […]

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“What’s He Doing There?”

December 6, 2013

Desmond is our three-year-old grandson.  He is everything a three-year-old boy should be.  I experienced the unconstrained reality of this over the extended Thanksgiving weekend.  Particularly when Desmond and his four-year-old cousin, Graham, are together.  Rough and tumble doesn’t quite cover it. With both of these young men I’ve observed a growing fascination with super-heroes […]

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Nothing But Leaves – Part 4

November 22, 2013

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.  And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves… (Mark 11:12-13a) Have you looked closely at those little stickers that cling to […]

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Nothing But Leaves – Part 3

November 19, 2013

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.  And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves… (Mark 11:12-13a) Authentic and humble followers of Jesus bear fruit.  We do this […]

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Nothing But Leaves – Part 2

November 8, 2013

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.  And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves… (Mark 11:12-13a) Without a kiss good-bye, Karen had to cope with the loss […]

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