Rarely do we hear the words, "self denial." John F. Kennedy implored us as a nation to quit asking for things to be done for us. Our culture is all about getting their rights, their benefits, their moment. Jesus told us to deny ourselves, to live for others and for another kingdom. We want more money with less work, more pleasure with less inconvenience. Read more
While “Stop violence” and “No more guns” are simplistic slogans, I am trying to peel away my cynicism to hear their pain and frustration.Jesus told us not to despise the children, not to turn them away. So today, I’ll try to listen. Read more
The new CBS comedy series, Living Biblically, tells the story of a man on a journey. The series is an adaptation of the non-fiction book by A.J. Jacobs, in which a man tries to live in accordance with the Bible’s teachings as close as possible. I admit, I tiptoed into this series, looking for offense. After all, Hollywood routinely finds ways to mock faith. Some of it is because of outright hostility. Most of it is out of ignorance. However,... Read more
A college in Boston is working overtime to make sure every student feels comfortable. The Simmons College guide is intended “to provide general information about anti-oppression, diversity, and inclusion.” I was hoping that it would be a helpful document that would encourage students to exchange information, engage in dialogue, and respect all faiths. Unfortunately, for the sake of diversity, it singles out Christians as “oppressive” and “fragile.” Interesting, for being a document about diversity, no other faith groups are mentioned... Read more
As a musical artist, Jeff Johnson believes wonder is a way to jump off the ‘merry-go-round’ of day to day living in order to stop, look, listen and consider the fact that there is a something greater - a more enduring story - that exists beyond our own little world. To wonder is to notice the countless things going on above us, beneath us, before us, within us and around us all of the time and to realize the richness and potential to live a life that revels, takes joy and lives graciously. Read more
It was 1981 and I was a college freshman. Billy Graham was coming to Reno – the Biggest Little City in World. At the time it was one fo the few places where you could gamble, carry open containers on the street. Just outside of town there were legal brothels. The city would never be the same. For four nights he preached to a overfilled auditorium. I invited friends and people from my dorm. I think there were nine of... Read more
I would much rather have a Vice President that listens to God, than a leader who pushes every divine voice away. I would much rather follow a leader who is humble enough to claim that he doesn’t know the answer to every question. I am comfortable following a man who on his knees asks God for help. If the Vice President has a mental illness for talking to Jesus, then call me crazy too. Maybe, as a nation, we can mock a little less and listen a little more. Read more
I hate the skepticism that this world is brewing. We have a swarm mentality over every little wrong. It’s the out-of-proportion responses. It’s the broad brushes that we wipe over entire people. After a while we either believe everything to be true or nothing. There is no middle ground. I want to believe in something, I really do. But I’m not ready to trust Facebook to do a good job of sorting it out. Read more
He doesn’t pick winners and losers in this life. There's no certainty of victory in this life. In fact, we are promised hardship and pain more than ease and comfort. He does call us to faithfulness, to hard work and to obedience. But this moment is an opportunity for God-fearing men to stand tall with a trophy in one hand, and their faith in the other and proclaim loudly their One True Devotion. Read more
We walk in a world of contrast, light and dark, good and bad, beautiful and ugly. The great philosopher Arlo Guthrie once said, “If you don’t ever know the darkness, man, you’ll never really appreciate the light.” Read more
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