It’s been the theme of the summer as I’ve been privileged to travel and teach: “Turn and Behold”, derived from a favorite passage from II Corinthians 3:16-18, where we’re promised that transformation isn’t our responsibility, but rather a byproduct of our falling in love with Jesus, of learning to continually turn and behold the glory of the Lord. He’ll be changing us, we’re told, “from glory to glory”. This realization that God will be changing me simply because I’m in... Read more
Yes, there was that little 32-year delay – but eventually it happened, or will happen very soon. My wife was up until after 2AM last night writing a paper and preparing a presentation for her last day of class, which is today. She’s been involved in a two-week intensive class, studying the holocaust. Each night she’s been reading history and writing about it. Sometimes we’ve had conversations about it, and at times her content has intersected my world as I’ve... Read more
As we enter September, and schedules change, I offer a few words about being intentional in our cultivation of that which will nourish. Enjoy. It happened between graduating from high school and starting college. I was working at a camp and the staff went out one night for pizza. It was one of the those places that hide all the ingredients under the cheese. When the pizza came, I took a big, unexamined bite. “Wow! That’s tremendous! What’s on this... Read more
The Wise man Built His House upon the Rock… It’s the end of a bad day and I’m driving to the writing cabin. Stresses, demands, uncertainties, broken appointments, and hurtful words followed by icy withdrawal – all of these were wrapped up in a single sunny day. A word that might describe my reaction to these trials: pathetic. I withdrew into self-pity, and wallowed in my pain. Ironically, it was the day that I studying about how those who have... Read more
Mt. Lafayette is, by any Pacific Northwest standards, just a hill, topping off at a mere 5,249 feet. It’s beautiful in it’s own right, but only a hill. Still, the hike to to the summit is an exercise in endurance because most of the hike is shrouded in forest, save the few openings where one is able to see some remarkable granite walls (next time I’m bringing climbing gear). The cocktail of steep sections, wet rocks, and warm air thick... Read more
Mt. Lafayette is, by any Pacific Northwest standards, just a hill, topping off at a mere 5,249 feet. It’s beautiful in it’s own right, but only a hill. Still, the hike to to the summit is an exercise in endurance because most of the hike is shrouded in forest, save the few openings where one is able to see some remarkable granite walls (next time I’m bringing climbing gear). The cocktail of steep sections, wet rocks, and warm air thick... Read more
Enter through the narrow gate…for the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. – Matthew 7:13-14 “The steep way down is easier – but only if you’re committed.” – Ski advice given by someone better than me. One of the mysteries in Jesus’ teaching is the seeming contradiction between his command that we need to seek the narrow road, which is hard and requires discipline, and His other... Read more
As the plane descends and the lights of Seattle become welcome, familiar reference points, I take a few moments to look back on what can only be called, “the summer of life” because of all the life giving elements contained in it, including: 1. A trip to Europe for my wife and I, courtesy of our generous and amazing church, so that we could visit our daughter who serves there, and hike the Alps. Body – Soul – Spirit –... Read more
As the plane descends and the lights of Seattle become welcome, familiar reference points, I take a few moments to look back on what can only be called, “the summer of life” because of all the life giving elements contained in it, including: 1. A trip to Europe for my wife and I, courtesy of our generous and amazing church, so that we could visit our daughter who serves there, and hike the Alps. Body – Soul – Spirit –... Read more
After leaving my wife at the bus station today in Concord, NH, the drive back to the camp where I’m speaking has me thinking about change. My youngest daughter will soon be arriving home from a summer in Rwanda, changed utterly. In a few short months both she and my wife will graduate from Seattle Pacific University, and this will mark the end of college careers (at the very least, for the time being) for our whole family. Change. The... Read more
Fibonacci Faith: Changing Everything
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