My mother always told me not to promise anything, because only God is able to keep his. Her words stuck with me, and I never “promised” to do anything the rest of my life. I said “yes” or “no”, or “I’ll do my best to help you out.” A promise was not for me to … More Promises
I don’t do math. I’m the person who made a B in Basic Math in college! I’m embarrassed to say what I made in the accounting class I attempted for some dumb reason. I probably thought the accountant I was dating at the time would turn out to be useful…but apparently he was only ornamental. … More The Prayer Equation
I was reminded this week of how quickly things can change. I listened to the wife of our dear brother share at his funeral, “I never imagined that this time last week, I would be standing up here talking about the loss of my husband.” Whether a loved one suffers over a period of time … More Are you prepared?
My dad had a gift. He could remember sermons from his young adult years, name the pastor, know the title and passage used. I wish I had a mind like his — I’ll blame learning multiple languages to inhibiting my ability to remember anything in one. It’s a poor excuse, but handy, when I need … More Worth remembering
I have a vivid memory from my childhood, and it’s not a pretty one. While I don’t remember what prompted the outburst, I had a temper-tantrum in my mother’s presence and told her, “I’m tired of being good! It’s too hard!” I was obviously exasperated about something, and my parents’ guidance on good behavior had … More It takes effort
I had a birthday last month which had me thinking about life, years, and, to be honest, mortality. Nothing like a birthday to give you a reality check. If birthdays haven’t done that for you, then you’re not old enough. Just sayin’. I am using Christmas and birthday cards this year to pray for the … More Counting Life
I know when I write this question, people will interpret it in polar opposite ways, but I’m willing to take the chance. In 1933, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote to his grandmother: The question is really: Christianity or Germanism? And the sooner the conflict is revealed in the clear light of day the better.* So, I sit … More The Question
Have you ever watched a movie or read a book that was so true-to-life that you forgot it was fiction? You find yourself relating it to another with an excitement that makes them wonder if it truly took place. The great authors and screenwriters are those who can mix just enough of truth into the … More The Masquerade of Evil
I have recently finished reading Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton. I’ve heard it quoted all my life, but never took the plunge in reading it. I will tell you, it’s not for the fainthearted. Long paragraphs, no white space, and complex ideas make it a challenge to read, but so worth the effort, for it is … More Born upside down
Though my body leans toward obesity, my brain has been malnourished. This past weekend, I decided to do something about it — I went to an apologetics conference. People that know me know that I don’t do a lot of “just fun” things for myself. I go to work, church and write. That’s about the … More Brain Food