In one season or another, every one of us has needed to either build or rebuild trust: the new pastor coming into the church; the husband or wife whose marriage is enduring the heartbreak of hurtful decisions; the political leader balancing what is just with what is popular; the parent speaking timely wisdom to his or her teenager; the friend…
Tag: church
Healing for a Sorrowful Soul
“My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word. I told you about my life, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. Help me understand the meaning of your precepts so that I can meditate on your wonders. I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word.” (Psalm 119:25-28) Sorrow of the soul is…
Every Word a Gift
As a pastor and church leader for twenty years, I have come to believe that many of our problems come back to this—we just don’t know how to talk to people. I am often amazed to sit in a room with a group of people who all agree on the basic fundamentals of an issue and all hope to see…
Does Hell Know Your Name?
Out of sheer boredom I just read an article online listing several celebrities who actually used the line, “Don’t you know who I am?!” One was arrested for DUI, another was kicked out of a concert for trying to access the VIP area without a badge, and another was thrown out of a bar for being disruptive. When the authorities…
Christmas Nativity (John 1:12-13)
I think, before your HOA allows you to put up a Christmas Nativity set in your yard, there should be a mandatory refresher course on who, exactly, should be included in the scene. Our neighbors a couple of streets over (“bless their hearts”), they’re trying so hard. They’ve got Mary, Joseph, little baby Jesus, shepherds, wise men, cows, goats, alpacas,…
