James 4:14 reads ..."What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."This morning I read the following words by French philosopher Blaise Pascal, and I said to myself, "What a perfect explanation of James 4:14." ... especially last phrase (which I highlighted in red).Know then, proud man,Continue reading "Hello there … imperceptible speck of dust!"

Here's my column in today's Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.  You'll read about how my high school football coach took the chance to break a young 15-year-old stallion back in the day.  Not every crucial conversation has such willing participants, particularly one with a coach exhibiting such good emotional health.  But as you'll read, might there just beContinue reading "My first truly crucial conversation…"

People often talk with me about spiritual disciplines.  Which ones are the best ones to practice, they ask?  "Hmm..., I say. There are so many."In fact, just this morning my friend John Stanford, a retired physics professor from Iowa State University in Ames, IA, wrote about a spiritual discipline that I suggest more of usContinue reading "The spiritual discipline of being content to be hidden"

"Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob." Genesis 25:28I never read this verse without thinking, "Whew!  Not good." It "appears" that Isaac principally loved Esau for his hunting skills.  As the story rolls along there is plenty of conflict and what looks like dad and mom playing favorites.Continue reading "Giving love or withholding love…"

When Abraham was old and wanting a wife for his son Isaac, he knew just what he wanted.   He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you willContinue reading "Sometimes we stand firm; sometimes we collaborate … May God give us wisdom!"

In today's column for the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, I argue that conflict has the best chance of being resolved and reconciliation actually happening when one or both of the parties embroiled in the conflict admits to perhaps being wrong and even starts exhibiting a teachable spirit.

On my very first day of campus ministry at the University of Illinois more than 35 years ago, I wish someone had said to me: "Don, your spiritual health and your emotional health are very closely connected.  Pay attention to this your whole career! There are positive and painful emotions.  Jesus had them both.  HeContinue reading "Never be afraid to feel the full force of joy and sorrow…"

The Apostle Paul said he had learned the secret of being content all the time.  Rich Nathan, pastor of Columbus Vineyard Church in Columbus, OH, says he thinks he knows the formula for contentment, and I think he's 100 percent on target.Here is Rich in his own words: (Christ's Strength + Gratitude) - (Grumbling +Continue reading "The formula for true contentment … especially with the coming holidays!"