7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do notContinue reading "Abandoning the temporary for the permanent…"

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mineContinue reading "High enough standard for you?"

In the "Baby Blues" cartoon strip from Sunday, March 15, the mom (Wanda) is giving the dad (Darryl) a double message.  But thank goodness, he and his friend Mike get it.It's not good to manipulate people with your double messages, and, equally as important, it's not good to ignore the commitments you've already made toContinue reading "Don’t manipulate people with your double messages…"

My column in today's Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette looks at 5 observable patterns as we move through stages of faith. 

I've officiated at a few renewal-of-vows ceremonies.  They are okay, usually well-intentioned and, frankly, to be entered in rather advisedly, in my opinion.  🙂

Humility, says my friend Al Ells -- pastor coach and counselor -- is acquired. He's absolutely right, and here's how he says it. 

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12Just forgive and forget.  Simple?  No!  Impossible, frankly.  I doubt you'll ever forget the time you were seriously hurt and injured by what someone said to you. Forgiveness isn't really contingent upon your ability to forget. Continue reading "Forget or Forego?"

If this one thing happens -- "Oh please, please, please God. Give me just this one thing.  I'll never ask for anything again. I promise." -- then I'll be be content.  I just know it.  Really?  Then you'll be content?  Well, maybe.  But maybe not. One of my teachers (Pastor John Piippo) seriously doubts that gettingContinue reading "You can be freed from your unfulfilled longings…"