A Lean and Muscular Church

The level of intimacy and spiritual accountability modeled by the Early Church and within Scripture cannot be attained by simply attending a single Sunday morning gathering. This can only happen in smaller settings of relationship where we look at each in the eye over...

It’s Time To Plan Your Escape

This morning, I began to hear in my mind the soundtrack from the Sound of Music. It took me back to those times when Jan and I would visit Salzburg, Austria. On our visit, we toured the von Trapp family estate and saw firsthand the magical setting of the movie as we...

The Therapy of Simple Pleasures and Good Friends

There are some negative moods that are shifted by simply enjoying good food with good friends. I’ve had negative attitudes adjusted over a plate of biscuits and gravy or a rack of baby back ribs in the presence of faithful friends. Life is best lived in the company of...

A Different Kind of Dream

I was asked by someone “What is your dream?” I responded, “I am living my dream.” My response caused my inquirer to pause, not knowing how to craft a follow-up question. I responded in the pause by saying, “I am in a place in my life not of my own making, but God’s...

Sharing the Blessing

On our morning walk, Jan and I processed the subject of financial blessing and sharing. We have come to realize that a portion of each unexpected gift God gives us has another destination in mind. We are not the terminal point of the blessing. In sharing, we multiple...