With the University of Illinois and public and Christian school about to crank up, it feels like the anxiety level in Champaign-Urbana has gone up precipitously in the last week. From Archibald Hart's The Anxiety Cure (Word Publishing, 1999), here are 10 ridiculous things you can say to a person with anxiety (or to yourself,Continue reading "Anxiety producing waters ahead"

Jennifer and I were among about 15 couples who took the 7-week marriage course this summer.It is a terrific course featuring Nicky and Sila Lee from the Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London. That's the same church where ALPHA orginated.The course costs $70 and includes a relaxing candle-light dinner (the food was delicious), privacy andContinue reading "The Marriage Course"

My text for this Sunday evening's 703 service is James 5:1-6. Ever read it? Whew! Those who hoard money (v 1), acquire wealth by dishonest means (v 4), live luxuriously (v 5) and oppress the righteous by lording it over them (v 6), come out very poorly.The Apostle Paul is very clear in his instructionsContinue reading "James 5 and amassing wealth"

I always have a sense of dread as August rolls around. Mostly I think it's the nervousness that has stayed with me since I headed off to Kindergarten. When I see all those cars heading south down Lincoln Ave. going to the University of Illinois residence halls, I suddenly get nervous. I look at theContinue reading "August is an emotionally charged month"

This week I'm up in Elk Rapids, Michigan, a small town 20 miles north of Traverse City and along the east side of Grand Traverse Bay. This is one of those old fishing and logging towns that happens to be dotted with several churches that are nearly 100 years old. It's fun to go exploring.Here'sContinue reading "Praying up in Northern Michigan"

Journalist Doug LeBlanc writes a well-balanced piece on John Eldredge for the August 2004 issue of "Christianity today" (CT) magazine. Eldredge and a small team of men head up Eldredge's enormously popular ministry called Ransomed Heart.Eldredge's book Wild at Heart has sold more than one million copies, and Eldredge wannabes are popping up all overContinue reading "John Eldredge and his wild heart"

Preparing to preach for this weekend, I read Irresistible Evangelism -- Natural Ways to Open Others to Jesus by Steve Sjogren, Dave Ping and Doug Pollock. Maybe what I liked most about the book is that the authors insist -- and I mean absolutely insist -- that you be who you are and not somethingContinue reading "Irresistible Evangelism"

Silverton, CO, is one of those idyllic vacation spots where you see lots of SUVs, expensive moutain bikes and young families in designer hiking boots. I traveled to Silverton (300+ miles southwest of Denver) this past weekend to officiate at the wedding of my youngest brother. Today, Silverton has about 500 permanent residents, most ofContinue reading "Walk up the Hill"