Two pastors on study leave can manage more mischief than you might imagine. My friend Chris and I uncovered that truth early in our ministries, which is why we continue to spend several days together each year to read, write, and renew our spirits. Our time together always sparks new brilliance for my work, and […]
When You Realize You’re Not Sorry After All
My dad and I still talk about “the event” that happened on our road trip with my mom about forty years ago. My mind holds this memory in a section of my brain called “humorous mom stories.” But not my dad. His mind files it alongside other stories about “moments that changed my life.” I don’t remember where […]
New Strength from Sorrow
My wife has an uncanny ability to find songs that she knows I’ll like. She’s been right so often over the years that I’ve learned to trust her instincts, at least when it comes to music. So when she sat down to play me the song by Jason Mraz called 3 Things, I was prepared for it to become one of my favorites. Since that […]
Are Your Words Trustworthy and True?
Mark Twain once quipped that “a lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” If he were alive today, I imagine he would update that observation to account for the speed of social media: “A lie can travel around the world sixty-three thousand and seven times […]
Doing Justice and Loving Kindness
“Love God with all that you are.” Jesus said that was the greatest commandment. But he didn’t stop there. He reminded us that another is like it. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s the way of Jesus. To love God with all that you are, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself. That […]
Blessed Are You Who Bear the Light
Tonight—this night of all nights—the air crackles with anticipation and hope can penetrate even the hardest heart. On this night, our children’s senses work overtime to drink it all in. They turn their heads in every direction as they wonder who it is they can hear singing with more joy than they ever remember hearing […]