A family member shared great advice when her children were very young. “Be specific. Saying something like ‘Be careful,’ to children isn’t helpful. Clear directives work best.” She used examples including, “Don’t play on these rocks,” and “Take one step at a time.” Her back may still tighten if…
“If you love me,” Jesus says in John 14:15, “obey my commandments.” The word ‘if’ makes it clear this is no mandate. Jesus always gives a choice, an option. Maybe you’re all in when it comes to loving Jesus. Maybe you’re not. Maybe there’s a hesitation, reservation, question, doubt,…
Standing on the line in the gym in elementary school, we all wanted to be chosen by one of the two captains. The captains took turns choosing classmates until the class was divvied up into two teams. Rewarding for some and painful for others, we all wanted to…
“You’ll always find someone who wants to hold a baby.” I didn’t experience disbelief when a colleague shared this with me, but I did wonder. It’s true that babies are little, cute, and a tiny bit adorable. They can also be messy. Slobber on your shoulder is one thing….
He said it so matter-of-factly. “Ask my ex-wife. I’m as cold as ice.” He isn’t as cold as ice. I’m sure he’s been hurt. I’m sure he can be distant. He may not hold a great deal of empathy for others. But I’ll say this again. He’s not…
To the question of keeping something from Jesus, we likely reply, “Of course, we don’t! Our relationship with Jesus only deepens when we share.” We may even go further. “Locking something away from Jesus is not what we do. In fact, it’s the opposite of what we do.” Then we…
Generations of us have been encouraged to help little old ladies cross the street. And yes, to help someone in need is a good and right thing to do, regardless of age. Now that we are a few days past Easter Sunday, I encourage little old ladies, men and…
Here is my Easter 2023 story. It begins on December 29th 2022, which was a Thursday. I have office hours at the church on Thursday mornings. I drop in to see my mom, my next-door neighbor, before I leave for the church. With pancreatic cancer, she has been nonresponsive…
I share my Easter story with the hope you share yours. Mine begins on December 29th 2022, which was a Thursday. I have office hours at the church on Thursday mornings. I drop in to see my mom, my next-door neighbor, before I leave for the church. With pancreatic cancer,…
If we lived in the ancient Middle Eastern world, we would know that a leader galloping into town on a horse meant war. If a leader meandered into town on a donkey, this meant peace. First Kings 1:33 mentions Solomon riding a donkey on the day he is…
