Mimic the birds!
These days the choir of birds outside my window start warming up about 4:20am. By 4:40am, all birds are present and the concert begins in earnest. Every bird sings loudly and in perfect pitch. Not […]
Water baptism followed by a baptism of fire
In late February during my 8th-grade year, a city-wide church meeting came through Colby, Kansas. The evening meetings featured a 6’5” preacher, a former NFL defensive tackle named Bill Glass. Speaking to all 5 kids […]
The False Self & the True Self
** About 10 years ago I discovered the writing of pastor John Piippo from Redeemer Fellowship Church in Monroe, Michigan. A friend told me about his blog, and I started reading it. I was taken […]
Can our hearts still burn within us?
Last Sunday the Gospel reading used by many churches was the story in Luke 24 of the resurrected Jesus meeting two disciples (Cleopas and his partner) on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. (The painting […]
This is not the time for giving up…
As I follow the news of the spreading Corona virus today — along with “everyone” on planet earth — I thought this morning of one of my favorite poems that often gives me comfort when […]
Praying the Apostles’ Creed during Lent brings hope
[This religion column appeared in the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette on Sunday, March 8.] Out in the Protestant church in the High Plains of Northwestern Kansas where I was raised, I don’t remember ever hearing the word […]
What is your conflict style?
I am teaching a class on emotionally healthy relationships this winter. Prepping for one of my classes, I remembered an assessment I took about 5 years ago by Jim Van Yperen, a church-conflict specialist. It’s […]
Cause the fruit of your Spirit to keep ripening in my life, Lord
Galatians 5:16-17 in the New Living Translation perfectly describes the struggle we face every single day: 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature […]
