Getting into the Weeds

The other day, I was pulling weeds. My son asked why. I explained they were weeds, and we didn’t want them in our yard. “But those aren’t weeds. They have flowers,” he protested. I told him weeds often have flowers; it is the nature of a plant that makes it a weed, not whether it…

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What Is the Gospel?

Ministering to the poor and homeless is not the gospel. Speaking in tongues, prophesying, and moving in other gifts is not the gospel. Pro-Christian political activism is not the gospel. Intercessory prayer is not the gospel. Healings and miracles are not the gospel. Tradition is not the gospel. Creation care is not the gospel. Evangelizing…

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Near You

“But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your     heart, that is, the word of faith which we preach” (Rom. 10:8). The other day I was feeling out of gas. I don’t remember what all was going on that day. Whatever it was, I felt I…

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Poly-meism

How does a grain of sand outweigh a desert? How does a drop of water flood the world? How does a voice shout down a nation? How does each of us create their own heavens and earth, subject to personal fiat? How can we breathe? How can we be free? How can we live in…

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Just a Thought…

  The longer I walk with the Lord, the more I aspire to be forgiving rather than perfect….

One from Your Own Body

In Genesis 15, Abram laments that he has no son, and that a household servant will be his heir. But the Lord said, “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir” (Gen. 15:4). Isaac was the immediate fulfillment of the Lord’s promise to Abram….

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The Fruitlessness of the Cross

Originally posted on The Voice of One:
The following is excerpted from a booklet I am close to finishing–Despising the Lamb: Pictures of Contempt in First Samuel *** First Samuel opens with a story about Elkanah and his wives, Hannah and Peninnah.   Hannah was unable to have children.   Peninnah bore children for Elkanah…

Death Defying

Recently, President Obama directed American public schools to allow transgender students to use the bathroom corresponding to the sex they identify with. The Obama administration says this is just a recommendation. But schools that don’t comply risk losing federal funding. It’s an optionless option. I was furious. Transgenderism is a complex issue our nation is…

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Why the World Is Real

The view from our cabin at Camp Orkila Last week I went to fifth grade camp with my daughter at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island.  It was a physically grueling week.  I don’t know how many miles we hiked.  All I know is I ended the week exhausted, sporting huge blisters and aching to my…

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Whose House?

Years back, the Lord opened the book of Haggai to me in new ways.  (See the booklet “Haggai: Feast” for more about that).  Verse 1:4 is probably the heart of the book: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” The temple was…

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