Saying Nes and Saying Yo: Discernment and Indecision

May 6, 2013 By 1 Comment

“Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No.’; anything  more than this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37) Lately I’ve been translating this verse, Let your yes be “Not really, but maybe” and your no be “Sure, I guess I not.” (Matthew 5:37 the MCV version of the Bible = McKenzie’s Corrupted Version) I was doing so well earlier in the year with defining my core purpose and my essential identity and gifts and what my priorities need to be moving forward. I was … [Read More...]

“A Psalm for Boston?”

April 20, 2013 By 1 Comment

For a long time Psalm 121 has been one of my favorite psalms. I used to think the opening was lovely and inspiring “I lift up mine eyes unto the hills. Whence cometh my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” I still think it’s inspiring, but in a more “Yikes, let’s get real!” kind of way. Because the hills are seen as places of danger. Ambushers, avalanches and wild animals come down from the hills. So when the psalmist is looking up to the hills, it’s more … [Read More...]

Really? You’re Not Taking Any Notes??

April 11, 2013 By 3 Comments

I don’t give exams in my Introduction to Preaching classes. But maybe I should start. I don’t give exams, but, instead, students are evaluated on … [Read More...]

My New Motto

April 9, 2013 By 3 Comments

Three occasions have arisen recently in which I have had to stand and deliver and, thank God, been able to do so. I am aware that the origins of … [Read More...]

How to Write a Pompous Letter

April 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I get asked to write a lot of recommendation letters. Today I’m writing three of them. Perhaps because I have so many other things to do today, … [Read More...]

Harnessing the Darkness

March 20, 2013 By 4 Comments

As Easter approaches a lot of people are under the mistaken belief that being a Christian means living in a state of untroubled emotional bliss. They … [Read More...]

What Gives??

March 18, 2013 By 3 Comments

A pastor friend of mine told me the following story recently. About  ten years ago he was serving as a local pastor in Houston and owned a lake house … [Read More...]

« Previous Posts

Getting Our Story Straight

March 6, 2013 By 1 Comment

I am teaching a course on preaching and storytelling at Perkins School of Theology this spring. Every Tuesday afternoon from 1:30-4:20, 12 of us … [Read More...]

Condiments Don’t Make a Meal!

March 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I heard a comedienne one time talking about the problem with her cooking.  She said she was all condiments and no entrées. Every night, as … [Read More...]

Have a Heart!

February 14, 2013 By 2 Comments

It’s Valentine’s Day and so my thoughts turn to hearts, understood as the inner impulses we offer to God and as the beating heart in each of our … [Read More...]

Appreciating our Gifts: Andrea Bocelli, the Barefoot Contessa and Dirk Nowitski

February 9, 2013 By 1 Comment

On a recent flight from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Dallas, I read the lead article in the January 2013 issue of American Way Magazine. It was about the … [Read More...]

Snacking on a Rosary at Half Time

February 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Two summers ago I led a group of students on a travel seminar to South Africa for 2 weeks. Half the time we spent at a convent/ retreat center near … [Read More...]