It’s amazing how much time I spend trying to defending my territory, holding on to what I think I’ve earned. Like an ancient warrior, I patrol what I’ve conquered and repel all those who might challenge it. The American founders gave us rights — and they called then unalienable, presumptively from God. But this twists the Almighty’s arm, forcing Him to conform to me. It just doesn’t work that way. The Bible is really all about surrender. These words pierce... Read more
Normally this blog is reserved for serious, weighty matters. There’s plenty to contemplate, to resolve, and to do. We are all works in progress. But frankly, I’m ready for a good laugh, and hope you are too. Here are a couple of jokes to bring a smile to your face. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn’t much, but the reception was excellent. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says,... Read more
I have spent many days wandering the mountains, lakes and streams of the Rocky Mountains. I used to have a job where I actually got to fly fish on my lunch hour — I should have never left that one. But even now, working in a concrete metropolis, all it takes is a casual walk outdoors and I am met with the “wonder of it all.” Telluride, CO, Photo by David Rupert Creation screams, “I’m no accident.” C.S. Lewis reasons,... Read more
I have always been shocked at how atheists function in a world so rich and full of life and wonder. Look at the unspoken sadness of modern-day atheists like Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and Sam Harris. How do they shake the haunting emptiness in their soul? When they look at the stars at night, do they ever wonder “what is at the edge of space?” When they contemplate the bookends of our existence, do they ever think “when did time begin?... Read more
The heralded arrival of the Information Age is upon us, and has been for a number of years. It’s filled with high-tech devices and satellite images and instant communications. Data fills our desktops, our airwaves, our cable systems and our telephones. Routers and processors and motherboards all silently work to make the world a smaller place. Few can argue the influence of the Internet and the proliferation of the silicon chip, but they are nothing without the syntax and sentences... Read more
“Of the Seven Deadly Sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the last toothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are giving back — in many ways it is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself.... Read more
If our perspective of work life is blurry, then the Church has not helped clear up our vision. The Church has done a wonderful job teaching us all about spiritual gifts and fellowship and holiness – all precious tenets of the Christian faith – but rarely have we been taught about our ministry in the marketplace. Instead we hear stories about those special few who were called into full-time ministry, blessedly drawn away from the worldly marketplace. Many churches lay... Read more
Two thousand years ago, there was unrest in the land. The Jewish Zealots were looking for a savior to overthrow the Romans. They sought to cast out the invaders, to reclaim their borders, to establish self rule again. This proud peoples had lost its very identity to the Roman society. Out of the boat stepped a carpenter from Nazareth. His simple teachings were swords to the elite and a balm to the masses. He was the instigator of massive social... Read more
Heaven is not a playground for kids – we don’t come as children for the fun, not even the innocence, but the incompetence. We don’t know how to survive on our own Read more
When we are criticized, our natural first response is defensive. We may minimize the problem or make excuses. We can deflect, detour and dismiss. And the worst thing we can do is blame. Red Letter Believers – those who live by the words of Jesus in their every day life — take responsibility. It’s easy to find someone to pin the blame, but try starting with the man or woman in the mirror. Unfair criticism can smart. It can cut.... Read more
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