Category Archives: Uncategorized

How would Paul’s perspective change how we view God, the world, and ourselves?Romans 8:26a. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” 1 Corinthians 1:27b. “God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10. “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses. . . . For whenContinueContinue reading “Are you weak or are you strong?”

[This religion column appears in section B-3 of today’s (1/06/13) Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.  Currently, the paper does not include their local columnists pieces on their website.  With their permission, here it is.]—–I admire people in the ministry who hang in there and finish well.  Few have done better than John Piper, 66, at Bethlehem Baptist ChurchContinueContinue reading “The world should taste our joy in the midst of sorrow”

I think the 12 steps used in Alcoholics Anonymous and other groups are simply brilliant. And I love the way pastor Ken Wilson at the Ann Arbor, MI, Vineyard Church has written and preached about them, putting them into the context of being a Jesus follower …http://annarborvineyard.org/about/93If you read and reflect on what Wilson writes aboutContinueContinue reading “Want a shot at living a truly changed life?”

Jesus says, “Don’t worry.”But we worry.  Jesus said the flowers don’t worry.  The birds don’t worry.  He says we can learn from them.The last Barna research shows that the temptation with which people most struggle is worry.http://www.barna.org/culture-articles/597-new-years-resolutions-temptations-and-americas-favorite-sinsJesus’ answer to worry?  “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.”

I write the Sunday religion column for the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette in Champaign, IL.  I am nearing the 600 mark.  When I first started writing the column years ago, I remember going to my wife after I had written my third column and saying, “I have told them everything I know.  I have nothing else toContinueContinue reading “Writing a religion column…”

     Today I was standing in my sun room, looking out the window and watching it snow.  My friend John Deppe built that room in 2004.  John died August 8 this year (1942-2012).      He was a wonderful man.  John was gentle, quiet and he could build or fix anything!  I mean anything.  John had builtContinueContinue reading “Rembering a good friend”

I am thinking of New Year’s Resolutions in 2013.  I think the title is: How to lead a very disciplined life that leads to tiny, incremental change.  Whew! … That’s how the walk of faith often feels. 

This is a good book by Daniel Fountain that I read this week.  Two weeks ago I met Fountain at a conference up in Wisconsin.  Fountain was a missionary surgeon in Zaire/Congo for 35 years.  He believes in healing for the total person … body, soul, mind, spirit.  He is past 80 years of ageContinueContinue reading “God, Medicine and Miracles”