Here's my column from today's Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.  I argue that more church leaders should be forthright with their pastors early on, especially when they disagree. 

In Luke 7 we read that Jesus travels to the village of  Nain with a large crowd.  On the outskirts ofNain the crowd hiking along with Jesus encounters another large crowd also on the outskirts of Nain.  This crowd is heading to the cemetery. Now try and imagine this. Here's what happens when the twoContinue reading "Jesus raised a young man from the dead, bringing him back to life"

Late yesterday afternoon I attended the memorial service for a 17-year-old young man from Champaign who lost his battle with mental illness.  Late last week in a tragic act of desperation he ended his life.About 500 friends quietly gathered to hear the young man memorialized.  He was remembered as a person who was brilliant inContinue reading "Losing the battle at such a young age"

In late September when the cool nights come to east-central Illinois, and I breathe deeply from the air wafting from the corn and bean fields waiting to be harvested, I think of the last novel by C.S. Lewis called Till we have Faces: a myth retold.  Lewis said he thought this book was his mostContinue reading "Some days we long so much …"

If you read the history of God's people, especially as, say, recorded in many of the Psalms, you will see contrasting periods of blessings and barrenness, advance and retreat.The writer of Psalm 44 describes how God helped His people in the past, "But now you have tossed us aside in dishonor." (vs 9).My physics professorContinue reading "Don’t kick yourself for, or be surprised at, your battle scars…"

Here's my column in the Sunday News-Gazette (September 23, 2013).  I explored why, when I decide to hold and nurse a grudge, I really believe that I am morally superior.  ... Not pretty.

My friend Pastor John Piippo (who will be in Champaign-Urbana this Friday & Saturday) says this about prayer:Prayer is talking with God about what we are doing together. OK. But is it possible to hear God speak to us? How can we discern whether what we are hearing is really God, or not? My 3-step suggestionContinue reading "What are you and God doing together … Prayer according to Pastor John Piippo"

Oh boy, "Lord help us."