Dreary days. Cold weather. Very little time outdoors. The sighs we share over the joys of summer aren’t just a distant memory. For many of us, they have all been forgotten. You all know someone who struggles with winter, especially late winter. That someone may be you. Even if you’re...

Some say love is messy. Unpredictable. Slippery. A bazillion songs have been written on it including some that say that love makes fools of us. In fact, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle penned one song that became a 1984 Tina Turner hit that holds these lyrics. “What’s love got to...

Welcome questions. If the questions are theological, don’t just welcome them, embrace them. Now hold on, I get that sometimes we brush up against uncomfortable places when we talk about God “and all of that.” Sometimes we dance—or stumble—into awkward, ignorant pauses. Sometimes we feel inadequate, even challenged. But isn’t...

An alto in our choir works in the big leagues at a nearby university. This alto has shared that the campus has made it clear that no one is to call freshmen by that title. They are now to be addressed as first years. Why? The name ‘men’ is offensive...

In a column this past fall, I shared as a single pastor that I have been trying to adopt children. I wrote of heartbreak at that time. Now it’s time to share joy. I became a foster-to-adopt dad of five siblings two days before Thanksgiving, 2019. It was best to...

There have been countless times you’ve heard, “That’s not fair!” At one point, it’s likely Peter said this too, especially as a boy. Yet adult Peter says, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism (verse 34).” Conceptionally, we get adult Peter’s point. God is fair, just and equal....

When we lose the notion that church is heaven and all those who worship there are angels complete with halos and wings, then we actually begin to give something rather than get something. And that is what church is—the opportunity to give something. What do we give? Oh, I’m not...

Raised as a Christmas tree farmer’s son, I learned one of the best lessons. Christmas doesn’t just fall on Christmas. This miracle—and all its yuletide joy—happens again on December 26th, December 27th, December 28th and so on. Imagine your dad being awakened by his kids around 5 AM on Christmas...

A newborn today is often just hours old before his or her face is spread across social circles via technology. Amazing how this Good News not only travels but also is documented for the world to know. (Congrats to all who have welcomed an addition this year!) In an interesting...

The overwhelming majority of people present at Jesus’ death wanted a Messiah King who would eradicate their problems in the now, not in some far-off future. This outlander riding on a donkey instead of a stallion? This “King” born not in a palace but a barn? How can this Jesus...