I plan to vote on Election Day. I’ve heard some people say they’re still not sure how they’re going to vote. Some folks aren’t certain if they’re going to vote at all. But I have friends who have already voted. My vote is a stewardship. I have this one vote to cast, to use in…
I recently had eye surgery—nothing as “hip” as LASIK or as routine as cataract removal. I was born with a genetic disease of the cornea. There are cells in the cornea that pump fluid away, keeping it clear. When these cells don’t work correctly, fluid builds up and vision becomes cloudy or hazy. It’s like…
”Well, who is this angry man I see In the mirror looking back at me?” (Steven Curtis Chapman, “Savior”) I don’t like the answer to that question–it’s my face in the mirror! Why am I so MAD? Loss of control. Fear. Disappointment. Weariness. Or maybe something so silly as the fact that someone ate all…
“All of my life, in every season– You are still God, I have a reason to sing. I have a reason to worship!” The lyrics of that song are a great reminder that in every season, there is reason to sing. Because God is still on the throne, still on the job. And I can…
“The journey is too great for you.” 1 Kings 19:7 Elijah had triumphed over the prophets of Baal. The Lord turned the hearts of the people back to Him—they fell to their knees and said, “The Lord, He is God!” Then they killed the false prophets. Elijah prayed, and the 3-year drought ended with a…
I spent a few weeks in Togo a couple of years ago. I’d never been to Africa before—had never expected to go. As part of a small mission team, I went to encourage the workers at a newer hospital. While visiting with one of the nurses, she told me that a friend had given her…
What does it mean to “take the Lord’s name in vain”? When I was a kid, I thought it meant to curse. To use the Lord’s name in profanity. After I became a Christian, I thought it also meant to use the Lord’s name in a careless manner—as in, “oh my _____.” Those are a…
Do you pray? Are you thinking about prayer more often in recent days? Does the idea of prayer confuse or intimidate you? I found a simple definition of prayer online: “a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God.” Prayer is communicating with God. It can be done with eyes open or…
Say something. That was the title of a blog post I read last week. And it reminded me of 2 friendships—how I failed in one, and how that failure motivates me to do a better job at caring for my friends. Decades ago, a friend was going through deep waters, and I didn’t know what…
Mom once told me that we live in “scarcity” rather than “enough” or “abundance.” –We wake up and say we didn’t get enough sleep. –Our coffee wasn’t strong enough–or we didn’t get enough. –The shower wasn’t hot enough or long enough. –There’s not enough time to make it to our scheduled appointment. Yada, yada, yada… …