I remember Mrs. Johnson. She had the old house that needed a new roof and a paint job. But the most remarkable thing was her spectacular garden with flowers that always seemed in bloom. As she stood outside in her white bathrobe that perfectly complimented her hair, she could name every plant and the location of every bulb.The reason? She had spent nearly sixty years in that home. Her husband bought that home and they had two children before he... Read more
I held the edge of the fabric high while a large fan blew the air into the cavernous inside. It was surprising how quickly the balloon filled. So this is how they inflate these balloons? She showed us “helpers” how to clip on the basket and where to tie the ropes. It’s all surprisingly simple and low tech — except of course for the bursts of flame that with a whoosh heat the air and stretch the fabric. Soon, I felt the balloon... Read more
We live in the Microwave generation. We want everything quickly: Instant credit, fast food, instant news. We’ve been raised on 30 to 60 second commercials. We often don’t have attention for anything that takes a long time. But, biblical discipleship and living a life of promise is not something that we can fast forward through. We click our way to maturity. Can’t get it together? Don’t give up! When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more... Read more
The end is near! Apparently, Harold Camping, who has studied biblical numerology and prophecy, has figured out the beginning of the end. And it may be closer than we think. In case you don’t know it, the world is ending on Saturday at 6 p.m “We’re not talking about a ball game, or a marriage, or graduating from college,” he said. “We’re talking about the end of the world, a matter of being eternally dead, or being eternally alive, and... Read more
The Mississippi River is rising. It starts as a trickle in Northern Minnesota at Lake Itaska, and is little more than a creek that you could walk across. But as it winds its way, it picks up the water from a thousand tributaries, big and small. After record snowfall this winter, the water is pouring into the mighty river. Now it’s threatening Baton Rouge and New Orleans, who certainly don’t need to see any more water ever again. To solve... Read more
I grew up in the Sierra-Nevada mountains, with snow deep and trees thick to blanket the ground. And I lived part of my life in the Nevada desert , with crumbly granite rock and prickly scrub bushes on the landscape. The decade in the Wyoming mountains was amazing. Then I moved to the badlands of desert-plains. And now, finally, I’m in a Denver suburb with curbs and sidewalk, sprinkler tat-tat-tatting in the evening hours. Anyone want to guess what this is? Never... Read more
“What is your value, beloved child?” That’s the question that Journey to Beloved asks her readers. And it’s a good one. We’ve all wondered about our worth. If you’ve ever been spurned by a lover, despised by a friend, or abandoned by a companion, it’s only natural to wonder. When the layoff notice comes, or the neighbor turns the other way, or your kids forget to call you on your birthday, you wonder. When the self-religious point their fingers, when the cynic doubts... Read more
I have spent most of my life looking for the easy way out. I admit it. And maybe you have too. I didn’t take those big career chances, because I was comfortable where I was. Nor did I pursue full-time ministry because I thought my family needed me to bring home a paycheck. Image by Chris JL via Flickr What I’m doing now is fine, even respectable. I’m in a good job that makes a difference, going to a growing church... Read more
In life, there always seems to be somebody that finds a way to get under my skin. I have one button, and they always find a way to push it. Intentional or not, there is a certain “tension” that always hangs in the air with these people. Rather than run from these relationships, I need to embrace them. Crazy thinking? No. God uses these people to knock off the edges, to buff out the imperfections in my life. They are there... Read more
He’s held up as a bastion. A stalwart. A rock. Solid. And indeed, over his long life, there are amazing markers to prove his reputation. He left his comfort and his home for the desert, with nothing more than a promise. He had a child at an old age – and then was asked to give him up. He trusted when there was no reason to trust . But most of the time, he was just hanging on. That’s right, Abraham, the... Read more
Select your answer to see how you score.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In